Prospects for the prevention of dementia

Abstract

Prevention of diseases can involve either: (a) their elimination from the lifespan of the individual, or (6) their postponement until later in the lifespan. The elimination of Alzheimer's disease or vascular dementia is not likely in the near future, although ongoing trials of vaccination against Alzheimer's pathology offer some prospects. Postponement of dementia remains a more likely scenario. Possible ways of postponing Alzheimer's disease include medications such as anti-inflammatory drugs, oestrogen and antioxidants; and possibly the reduction of occupational risk factors like electromagnetic fields and medical risk factors like head trauma. For vascular dementia, there are lifestyle ch..