Lifestyle Patterns as a Modifiable Risk Factor for Late-life Cognitive Decline: A Narrative Review Regarding Dementia Prevention

摘要

Background: Dementias due to neurodegenerative disorders and more specifically, Alzheimer’sdisease (AD) are the most frequent of all diseases within the industrialized world. Besidesthis alarming fact, it is noted too that almost three-quarter of people with AD reside in low or middle-income nations. In recent years, cognitive and behavioral neuroscientists have focused on apossible correlation between environmental agents and genetic risk factors for these dementias.Methods: In this narrative review, a close review of Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval Systemwas conducted. The authors aimed at analyzing possible interactions between lifestyle patternsand major risk factors responsible for cognitive decline and dementia, considering that the preventionor treatment of midlife modifiable risks may possibly reduce population-wide late-life pathologicalneurodegeneration.Results: This review focuses on modifiable risk factors for late-life cognitive decline. A growingnumber of studies have indicated that the impact of genetics and epigenetic factors on dementia riskis dependent on different lifestyle factors, ranging from leisure activities and nutritional habits,through to social interaction and toxic exposure.Conclusion: Despite all evidence regarding modifiable risk factors possibly reducing the risk ofdeveloping dementia in later life, many unanswered questions remain regarding the direct influenceof these variables in later life. People who regularly and actively participate in different lifelong activities(social, cultural and intellectual) do tend to perform better on formal cognitive tests, experiencefewer cognitive complaints, and are less likely to develop neurodegenerative disorders.