Intellectual activities such as playing chess or regular social interaction have been linked to a reduced risk of<unk>  in epidemiological studies, although no causal relationship has been found. There are no disease-modifying treatments available to cure<unk>  and because of this,<unk>  research has focused on interventions to prevent the onset and progression. There is no evidence that supports any particular measure in preventing<unk> 's, and studies of measures to prevent the onset or progression have produced inconsistent results. Epidemiological studies have proposed relationships between an individual's likelihood of developing<unk>  and modifiable factors, such as medications, lifestyle, and diet. There are some challenges in determining whether interventions for<unk>  act as a primary prevention method, preventing the disease itself, or a secondary prevention method, identifying the early stages of the disease. These challenges include duration of intervention, different stages of disease at which intervention begins, and lack of standardization of inclusion criteria regarding biomarkers specific for<unk> . Further research is needed to determine factors that can help prevent<unk> . Medication Cardiovascular risk factors, such as hypercholesterolaemia, hypertension, diabetes, and smoking, are associated with a higher risk of onset and worsened course of<unk> . The use of statins to lower cholesterol may be of benefit in<unk> 's. Antihypertensive and antidiabetic medications in individuals without overt cognitive impairment may decrease the risk of dementia by influencing cerebrovascular pathology. More research is needed to examine the relationship with<unk>  specifically; clarification of the direct role medications play versus other concurrent lifestyle changes (diet, exercise, smoking) is needed. Depression is associated with an increased risk for<unk> ; management with antidepressants may provide a preventative measure. Historically, long-term usage of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) were thought to be associated with a reduced likelihood of developing<unk>  as it reduces inflammation; however, NSAIDs do not appear to be useful as a treatment.<unk> ditionally, because women have a higher incidence of<unk>  than men, it was once thought that estrogen deficiency during menopause was a risk factor. However, there is a lack of evidence to show that hormone replacement therapy (HRT) in menopause decreases risk of cognitive decline. Lifestyle Certain lifestyle activities, such as physical and cognitive exercises, higher education and occupational attainment, cigarette smoking, stress, sleep, and the management of other comorbidities including, diabetes and hypertension may effect the risk of developing<unk> 's. Physical exercise is associated with a decreased rate of dementia, and is effective in reducing symptom severity in those with<unk> . Memory and cognitive functions can be improved with aerobic exercises including brisk walking three times weekly for forty minutes. It may also induce neuroplasticity of the brain. Participating in mental exercises, such as reading, crossword puzzles, and chess have shown a potential to be preventative. Higher education and occupational attainment, and participation in leisure activities, contribute to a reduced risk of developing<unk> 's, or of delaying the onset of symptoms. This is compatible with the cognitive reserve theory, which states that some life experiences result in more efficient neural functioning providing the individual a cognitive reserve that delays the onset of dementia manifestations. Education delays the onset of<unk>  syndrome without changing the duration of the disease. Cessation in smoking may reduce risk of developing<unk> , specifically in those who carry APOE ɛ4 allele. The increased oxidative stress caused by smoking results in downstream inflammatory or neurodegenerative processes that may increase risk of developing<unk> . Avoidance of smoking, counseling and pharmacotherapies to quit smoking are used, and avoidance of environmental tobacco smoke is recommended.<unk>  is associated with sleep disorders but the precise relationship is unclear. It was once thought that as people get older, the risk of developing sleep disorders and<unk>  independently increase, but research is examining whether sleep disorders may increase the prevalence of<unk> . One theory is that the mechanisms to increase clearance of toxic substances, including Aβ, are active during sleep. With decreased sleep, a person is increasing Aβ production and decreasing Aβ clearance, resulting in Aβ accumulation. Receiving<unk> equate sleep (approximately 7–8 hours) every night has become a potential lifestyle intervention to prevent the development of<unk> . Stress is a risk factor for the development of<unk> 's. The mechanism by which stress predisposes someone to development of<unk> 's is unclear, but it is suggested that lifetime stressors may affect a person's epigenome, leading to an overexpression or under expression of specific genes. Although the relationship of stress and<unk> 's is unclear, strategies to reduce stress and relax the mind may be helpful strategies in preventing the progression or<unk> . Meditation, for instance, is a helpful lifestyle change to support cognition and well-being, though further research is needed to assess long-term effects.
Alzheimer's disease
Lewy body dementias
Parkinson's disease dementia
Down syndrome
Vascular dementia
Aging brain
Alcohol-related dementia
Chronic traumatic encephalopathy