title: [Vascular risk factors and Alzheimer's disease].
abstract: The various forms of dementia have traditionally been classified according to the criteria established by Kraepelin, Alzheimer and Biswanger and subsequently revised by Sir M. Roth. Vascular risk factors have always been considered to cause vascular dementia, while Alzheimer's disease was considered to be caused by other, poorly defined degenerative factors. However, in the last few years, a series of studies has revealed that classical vascular risk factors may also be involved in Alzheimer's disease. The present article reviews the role of insulin resistance, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, obesity, homocysteine levels, smoking, alcohol consumption and atrial fibrillation in Alzheimer's disease. Understanding of these associations may in future allow effective preventive measures to be taken.
authors.affiliation: Geriatra. Area de Psicogeriatría, CASM Benito Menni, Sant Boi de Llobregat, Barcelona, España. 33365prd@comb.es
authors.forename: Pedro J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Regalado Doña
authors.forename: Pilar
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Azpiazu Artigas
authors.forename: M Luisa
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Sánchez Guerra
authors.forename: Consuelo
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Almenar Monfort
mesh_terms: D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000209:etiology*; D015140:Dementia, Vascular / Q000209:etiology; D048909:Diabetes Complications; D006801:Humans; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000150:complications; D006973:Hypertension / Q000150:complications; D007333:Insulin Resistance; D012307:Risk Factors; D014652:Vascular Diseases / Q000150:complications*