To be clear, the researchers did not draw any conclusions as to
whether a decline in brain function could lead to conditions
such as dementia. Asked for a comment, William Thies, chief
medical and scientific officer for the Alzheimer's Association,
responded by acknowledging the growing body of research over
more than a decade - including this new study - that point
toward several factors that may impact our risk of Alzheimer's
disease and cognitive decline, the strongest being heart health
risk factors. "These (factors) include physical inactivity,
smoking, and poor control of blood pressure, blood lipids, and
blood sugar levels," Thies said. "Currently, the strongest data
for lifestyle-based Alzheimer's risk reduction is for physical
activity." Dregan agrees. "We have identified a number of risk
factors which could be associated with accelerated cognitive
decline, all of which could be modifiable," he said. "This
offers valuable knowledge for future prevention and treatment
interventions." "We recognize and