Turin, researchers from the Città della Salute have discovered 40 new risk factors for Alzheimer's disease. The study was later published in Nature Genetics.
The scientists discovered the role of genes connected with the Tnf-alpha factor in modulating the disease, which will allow the creation of new targeted drugs.
The research also clarified the role of the scavenger cells, the microglia, which are responsible for removing potentially neurotoxic abnormal proteins, usually much more active during sleep.
But what are the risk factors?
There are non-modifiable factors such as age. In fact, after sixty-five, the incidence increases exponentially up to about eighty years. Another non-modifiable risk factor (for now) is genetics.
The modifiable risk factors are instead associated with lifestyle, physical and mental activity, etc.
Excess alcohol, smoking, sedentary lifestyle, and in general, anything that puts circulation and microcirculation at risk will increase the risk of developing Alzheimer's.
Alzheimer's, from the German neurologist who for the first time in 1907 described its symptoms and neuropathological aspects, Alois Alzheimer.
Alzheimer's dementia in the United States is the sixth leading cause of death, in Italy there are 1.2 million patients, which will rise to 1.6 million within a decade, due to the progressive aging of the population. It is estimated that worldwide in 2050 there will be 115 million.
Life expectancy ranges from four to twenty years, the average is about eight years, after symptoms become evident. In reality, everything depends on the age and general condition of the patient.
A scourge for affected families. Estimates of public and private spending on Alzheimer's are around 70,000 euros per year, of which 73% is borne by Italian families.
Italy, with the 2021 Budget Law, established the “Alzheimer's and Dementia Fund” promising to allocate 15 million over three years. A ridiculous amount if compared to the number of patients involved and the cost of managing each individual patient.
Our advice is to do prevention, walk at least 3 to 5 km a day, if you can at a brisk pace, or at least 15 km by bike.
A healthy diet with lots of fruit and vegetables, legumes, and little meat.
Limiting smoking, carbonated and sugary drinks to a minimum.
Yes to wine, limiting yourself to a few glasses a day, for those who have not been contraindicated.
If you have several family members with this disease, consult a specialist early and with him you will establish the best path to keep the disease away from you as much as possible.
Prevention is everything.
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