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Risk factors for Alzheimer's disease: a case-control study
S L Shalat1, B Seltzer, C Pidcock
1Department of Epidemiology, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA.
Neurology
|October 1, 1987
Summary
A family history of dementia and personal depression increase Alzheimer's disease risk. Smoking more cigarettes was also linked to Alzheimer's disease in this case-control study.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Epidemiology
- Gerontology
Background:
- Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder.
- Understanding risk factors for AD is crucial for prevention and early intervention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between personal and family medical history and the occurrence of Alzheimer's disease.
- To identify potential risk factors in patients diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease.
Main Methods:
- A case-control study design was employed.
- 98 men with clinically diagnosed Alzheimer's disease were compared with 162 matched controls.
- Matching criteria included sex, year of birth, and town of residence.
Main Results:
- A family history of dementia was significantly more frequent in Alzheimer's disease patients.
- A personal history of depression was also more prevalent in the Alzheimer's disease group.
- The number of cigarettes smoked was greater among patients with Alzheimer's disease.
Conclusions:
- Family history of dementia and personal history of depression are associated with an increased risk of Alzheimer's disease.
- Smoking may be a contributing factor or correlate of Alzheimer's disease.
- Further research is warranted to elucidate the causal relationships of these factors in Alzheimer's disease pathogenesis.