I think you must know about Debbie’s One Million Memories project, that is a war against Alzheimer’s Disease. Well, I made a post about it here:
One Million Memories: Donate $1 for Alzheimer’s Research And Education

Researchers are just now beginning to understand the underlying mechanics of AD and why some people develop it and some do not. The risk factors mentioned above such as cholesterol or hypertension are not viewed as general risk factors. There are studies being done now that may label AD as a third form of diabetes, but if someone has the diabetes that most people are familiar with, they are no more susceptible than anyone else.

Regarding treatment, your doctor will be more likely to prescribe one of the five FDA approved drugs used to treat the symptoms of AD such as Aricept. These drugs resupply the brain with a neurotransmitter that AD robs it of and helps decrease memory loss for a period of time. However, they are not a cure and the benefits are not permanent. Other treatments that may work on the underlying cause of AD are still in development. Flurizan is one of them that
may be approved in 2008 and become available in 2009.

It does help to live a healthy lifestyle by exercising and eating fruits and vegetables.
There is also research being done on certain herbs and fruits. The grapes from
red wine for example used to make pinot noir wine may have some benefit. Cranberries and blueberries are other examples. Turmeric from curry spice is another. Exercise increases blood flow to the brain and lower your risk.

Other things that may help include exercising your brain through reading, playing Brain Age (Nintendo) & other games, learning a new language, doing math, working crossword puzzles, playing video games, doing everyday chores with the opposite hand, learning memory techniques and more. An active social life and a positive outlook on life also helps.

It is true that age is the number one risk factor. Anyone over the age of 60 has a 10% chance of developing AD, anyone over 85 has a 50% chance. If you have a parent that has AD, your risk goes up. It goes up even more when multiple family members develop it. In my family, my Mother has it and so did her Uncle, so my risk is more elevated than someone with no family history of it.

Right now Alzheimer’s is the 7th leading cause of death in the US and that is why it is so important for our government to increase funding for more research and decrease the amount of time the FDA takes to approve new treatments for AD.
Alzheimer’s disease is a terminal illness and the 5.1 million Americans who have it right now deserve the best of what medicine has to offer right now.