[Prevention of dementias: state of the art]

Dementias of late life constitute a major public health challenge. Alzheimer disease (AD) is the most common form. Epidemiological studies suggest that the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, wine and coffee consumption and regular physical activity may delay onset of AD or reduce rate of progression. Preclinical research in animals and epidemiological studies in humans have shown that estrogen substitution strategies and lipid lowering statins may be beneficial. Thus, despite the lack of prospective studies and, therefore, consensus, different pharmacological strategies for persons at high risk for Alzheimer's disease are discussed.