認知症の予防—生活習慣・生活習慣病との関連

Prevention of Dementia-with Special Reference to Lifestyle and Vascular Risk Factors

認知症の危険因子として，加齢や遺伝的要因のほかに血管性危険因子（高血圧，糖尿病，脂質異常症，肥満）や喫煙，睡眠時無呼吸症候群，うつ病，頭部外傷などがある。一方，防御因子として，運動習慣や余暇活動，社会参加，健康的な食生活，教育などが知られている。最近，欧米から認知症者数が減少しているという報告が多くみられ，教育歴の向上とともに生活習慣（病）の改善やコントロールが背景要因として挙げられている。

Abstract

There is a wide range of potentially modifiable risk factors for Alzheimer's disease and dementia, including cardiovascular risk factors (e.g. hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, obesity, sleep-apnea syndrome), psychosocial factors (e.g., depression), health behaviors (e.g., low level of physical or mental activity, smoking status), and head trauma. In the elderly, weight loss associated with frailty and sarcopenia is another risk factor for dementia. Recent epidemiological studies have shown that the prevalence of dementia has declined in the US and European countries during the last 20 years. In addition to an increase in educational attainment, treatment and prevention of vascular risk factors may contribute to some extent of the decline in dementia prevalence.