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Fast Facts
- Alzheimer’s Association recognizes June as Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month
- Alzheimer’s disease most common cause of dementia
- Warning signs include memory loss that disrupts daily life, confusion with time or place.
During Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month in June, extension experts encourage Arkansans to watch for warning signs of the disease and take swift action to receive earlier treatment.
Bryce Daniels, extension assistant professor and state extension health specialist for the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture, said dementia is a broad term that describes a decline in memory, communication, problem-solving and other thinking skills severe enough to disrupt daily life.
“Dementia is not a single disease,” Daniels said. “Within the larger category of ‘dementia,’ Alzheimer’s disease is the most common underlying condition, meaning it is a specific brain disorder that causes symptoms known as dementia.”
According to the Alzheimer’s Association, about 7.4 million adults aged 65 and older live with Alzheimer’s disease in the United States. Of these individuals, 74 percent are age 75 and older. Worldwide, more than 57 million people live with dementia, and between 60 to 70 percent of them are estimated to have Alzheimer’s disease, according to the World Health Organization.
Daniels said that according to the Mayo Clinic, Alzheimer’s disease starts when proteins build up in the brain, forming “sticky plaques and tangles.”
“Over time, this buildup damages and kills brain cells, causing the brain to shrink and memory and thinking to decline,” Daniels said. “Just like buildup in blood vessels can raise the risk of heart disease, buildup in the brain can interfere with normal function and increase the risk of Alzheimer’s disease,” Daniels said.
Who is at risk?
Daniels said age is the strongest risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease, as most people with the disease are age 65 or older. Family history can also play a role.
“Having a parent, brother or sister with Alzheimer’s increases your risk,” Daniels said. “Risk is higher if multiple family members are affected.”
Daniels said most people with Alzheimer’s develop symptoms in their mid-60s or later, which is called late-onset Alzheimer’s. When symptoms begin before age 65, it is referred to as early-onset Alzheimer’s. While the disease can begin earlier in life, this is less common, Daniels said.
Certain genes can also increase the likelihood of developing Alzheimer’s, although they do not guarantee disease development, Daniels said.
Other risk factors include:
- Head injury or traumatic brain injury: “Past serious or repeated head injuries are linked to a higher risk for Alzheimer’s,” Daniels said. “Risk is greater with injuries involving loss of consciousness or repeated impacts.”
- Cardiovascular and metabolic health conditions: Conditions that affect the heart and blood vessels, such as high blood pressure, diabetes and high cholesterol, can increase risk. “These conditions can damage blood vessels and reduce blood flow to the brain,” Daniels said.
- Lifestyle factors: Certain habits increase risk, including physical inactivity, smoking or tobacco use, poor diet or obesity, and limited mental or social activity.
“The key takeaway is that while some risks like age and genetics can’t be changed, others can be improved to lower risk, such as physical activity, heart health and smoking,” Daniels said.
Warning signs
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Alzheimer’s Association, 10 warning signs of Alzheimer’s include:
- Memory loss that disrupts daily life: “This can be forgetting recent information, important dates or asking the same questions repeatedly,” Daniels said.
- Challenges in planning or solving problems: Trouble following a plan, managing bills or concentrating.
- Difficulty completing familiar tasks: “This could include trouble doing daily activities like driving, shopping or following a routine,” Daniels said.
- Confusion with time or place: Losing track of dates, seasons or where you are.
- Trouble understanding visual images and spatial relationships: Difficulty reading, balancing or judging distance.
- New problems with words in speaking or writing.
- Misplacing things and losing the ability to retrace steps: “This can involve putting items in unusual places and being unable to find them,” Daniels said.
- Decreased or poor judgment: “Making poor decisions, especially about money or personal care, is something to keep a close watch for,” Daniels said.
- Withdrawal from work or social activities.
- Changes in mood or personality. “Keep an eye out for increased confusion, anxiety, fear or mood swings,” Daniels said.
If you notice any of these signs, it is critical that you do not ignore them, Daniels said.
“Changes that disrupt daily life are not a normal part of aging,” Daniels said. “Schedule an appointment with a doctor. A healthcare provider can help find the cause, and some causes may be treatable.”
Early detection allows for earlier treatment, planning and support, so seeking an early diagnosis can be very beneficial, Daniels said.
To talk to someone for support, the Alzheimer’s Association offers a free, 24/7 helpline with guidance and resources. Call the helpline at 800-272-3900.
Nutrition, exercise support brain health
Daniels said modifiable health behaviors, such as healthy eating and regular physical activity, work together to support brain health and may help reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease over time.
“Starting these habits at a younger age can lower the risk of chronic conditions such as heart disease, diabetes and obesity, which are closely linked to cognitive decline,” Daniels said. “Many individuals who develop Alzheimer’s also have other chronic health issues that can limit their ability to stay active and maintain good nutrition.
“By reducing these risks earlier in life, individuals can better prepare their bodies to handle the stresses of aging,” Daniels said.
Certain foods provide nutrients that support brain structure and function, including diets rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory nutrients, such as fruits, vegetables, nuts and whole grains, Daniels said.
“These nutrients may reduce inflammation and oxidative stress, which are key processes involved in Alzheimer’s disease,” Daniels said. “Oxidative stress is when the body produces harmful molecules during normal processes, and there aren’t enough defenses to clean them up.”
Daniels said people should focus on a consistent pattern of eating mostly plant-based foods, healthy fats and lean proteins, rather than relying on one specific food, to support brain health and lower dementia risk.
Physical activity that challenges balance, coordination, dual-tasking and strength is also important to supporting brain health because it trains the body and the brain at the same time, Daniels said.
“Balance and coordination activities help improve body awareness and reduce the risk of falls, while also requiring the brain to process movement and make quick adjustments,” Daniels said. “Dual task exercises, such as walking while talking or carrying something while moving, force the brain to handle more than one task at once, which supports thinking skills and attention.
“Strength training helps maintain muscle mass and supports independence with daily activities, but it also benefits the brain by improving blood flow and supporting overall function,” Daniels said. “When combined, these types of exercises help strengthen the connection between the brain and the body and may help maintain cognitive health and quality of life as people age.”
Read Daniels’ extension fact sheets on Healthy Eating for Brain Health and Exercise and Brain Health to learn more or check out the extension Acknowledging Aging page for more resources for healthy aging.
To learn about extension programs in Arkansas, contact your local Cooperative Extension Service agent or visit uaex.uada.edu. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram. To learn more about the Division of Agriculture, visit uada.edu. To learn more about ag and food research in Arkansas, visit the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station at aaes.uada.edu.
