Alzheimer's- Cause?

wayhey

I'm just wondering, is there a genetic link with Alzheimer's? Are families with members who have Alzheimer's more likely to get it, or are we seeing more of it because the elderly are living longer?

Delancey

I have not heard anything suggesting a genetic link though others here would undoubtedly know better.
Demographics play a big part given that life expectancy has improved. Next year sees the 65th anniversary of the beginning of the post-war ' baby boom ' in the U.S. - health professionals and economists alike are warning of the huge impact these ageing ' boomers ' will have - Alzheimers numbers are predicted to soar.

Kwekubo

The cause is unknown. Alzheimer disease does occur in families sometimes and the early-onset (presenile) form has been shown to have some linkage to specific chromosomal abnormalities, but the vast majority of AD is late-onset and is believed to be contributed to by a variety of things, including lifestyle and genetics - it's not really clear.

Delancey

One interesting theory that has emerged is a dietary link , apparently the Alzheimers rate in India is very low and there have been suggestions this is due to the herb/flavouring Tumeric which is used extensively there.

Before rushing out to buy cookbooks by Madhur Jaffrey it's worth remembering however that India is a country with 40% of the population living on a dollar a day and in such circumstances medical care and reporting is patchy ( to say nothing that life expectancy would also be a factor ).