On September 21, in the framework of World Alzheimer's Day, a press conference with Omsk neurologists was held in the House of Journalists.
In Russia, 4-5 out of 100 people over the age of 60 suffer from dementia, and every five years this number doubles. In 60-70% of cases, memory loss and intellectual disability are associated with Alzheimer's disease.
«According to the World Health Organization, the number of patients with the disease could increase to 82 million worldwide by 2030. Today a new case is being discovered every three seconds» - says Roman A. DELOV, MD, PhD, Prof. Assoc. of the Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery.
According to Yuriy V. LALOV, MD, PhD, Prof. Assoc. of the Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, the exact causes of Alzheimer's disease are unknown, but scientists have discovered several risk factors, including vascular, genetic, environmental, age-related predispositions. A level of cholesterol above 6.5 mmol/L promotes the formation of beta-amyloid in the brain which increases the risk of Alzheimer's disease. Risk factor management, such as smoking cessation and prevention of hypercholesterolemia, can prevent forty percent of cases of this disease. Doctor Lalov also noted that hypertension is associated with five percent of cases, and it is crucial to reduce blood pressure in the middle age to prevent Alzheimer's disease.
Experts point out that Alzheimer's Disease is an age-related condition. Loss of memory of recent events, spatial and temporal disorientation are major red flags for the aged patients and their relatives. In this case, it is necessary to see a neurologist as early as possible to make a correct diagnosis and slow down the further progression of the disease.
OSMU Press Center