Yes, Alzheimer's can run in families, increasing risk due to shared genes, environment, and lifestyle, though having a family history doesn't guarantee you'll get it, and many without a history do develop the disease. While most Alzheimer's is sporadic, rare forms, especially early-onset (before 65), can be directly genetic, linked to specific gene mutations like APP, PSEN1, and PSEN2, giving a strong chance of inheritance. A common gene variant, APOE e4, increases risk but isn't a direct cause.
Results from a new study contribute to growing evidence that if one of your parents has Alzheimer's disease, the chances of inheriting it from your mother are higher than from your father.
Early symptoms
Reduce your risk of dementia
You Miss Out on Sleep
You do a few things you know you shouldn't -- we all do. But some of those bad habits can take a toll on your brain. For example, lack of sleep may be a cause of dementia, including Alzheimer's disease. It's best to have regular sleeping hours.
The main cause of Alzheimer's involves complex interactions of amyloid plaques (clumps of beta-amyloid protein outside nerve cells) and tau tangles (twisted tau protein fibers inside cells) disrupting brain cell communication, leading to cell death and brain shrinkage, with genetics, lifestyle (like heart health), and age being significant contributing factors. While the exact trigger is unknown, the accumulation of these proteins starts years before symptoms and damages memory-related brain regions.
But Romano says it's a leap to say that skipping breakfast actually causes dementia. “Alzheimer's disease is a complex brain illness,” he says. “Although the study found these correlations between skipping breakfast and dementia, skipping breakfast might be an indicator of other health habits or life circumstances.”
The "2-finger test" for dementia involves an examiner showing a hand gesture (like interlocking index and middle fingers) and asking the patient to copy it, testing motor skills, visual memory, and coordination, as difficulties can signal early cognitive decline, but it's a screening tool, not a definitive diagnosis, prompting further medical evaluation. Other related tests include finger-tapping and finger-to-nose, looking for hesitation or misjudgment in movement.
Vitamin D supplements are linked to a significant reduction in dementia risk, with a major study showing users had a 40% lower incidence of developing dementia compared to non-users, particularly benefiting older adults, with even greater effects seen in women and those without existing cognitive issues. This reduction highlights Vitamin D's role in brain health, possibly by clearing amyloid plaques associated with Alzheimer's.
The cause of roughly 70% of all dementia cases is Alzheimer's disease, a progressive brain disorder characterized by the buildup of amyloid plaques and tau tangles, leading to memory loss and impaired thinking that interferes with daily life, making it the most common form of dementia.
10 Warning Signs of Alzheimer's
Difficulty completing familiar tasks at home, at work, or at leisure. Confusion with time or place. Trouble understanding visual images and spatial relations. New problems with words in speaking or writing.
There is no known cure, but early diagnosis and treatment can lead to better quality of life. Stay healthy with a good diet and regular exercise. Stay away from alcohol and other substances that may affect memory, thinking, and behavior.
The Self-Administered Gerocognitive Examination, or SAGE test, is a short test you take by yourself to check for early signs of cognitive impairment. These can include mild cognitive impairment or dementia. It's not a diagnostic test. It's a screening tool that helps identify possible signs of cognitive decline.
According to research, those who have a parent, brother or sister with Alzheimer's are more likely to develop the disease. The risk increases if more than one family member has the illness. Modifiable risk factors such as sleep, smoking habits, hypertension or diabetes can further increase the risk.
However, people with Alzheimer's don't need a special class to be able to enjoy memories sparked by music. You could play some recorded music for them or even suggest that they sing along with you. You could also buy a simplified music player designed for people with dementia.
In May 2025, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the first blood test as a tool to help diagnose Alzheimer's disease. The test is called Lumipulse.
Donanemab, like lecanemab, is a type of drug called a monoclonal antibody. Antibodies form part of our immune system and bind to harmful proteins to destroy them. Donanemab contains antibodies that bind to a protein called amyloid, which builds up in the brain in the early stages of Alzheimer's disease.
The vitamins that support overall brain wellness include B vitamins, particularly B6, B12, and folate, as well as vitamin D and vitamin E. These nutrients contribute to cognitive function, memory, and overall brain health.
Many foods — blueberries, leafy greens, and curcumin (found in the spice turmeric), to name a few — have been studied for their potential cognitive benefit. These foods have been thought to have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, or other properties that might help protect the brain.
Although the early signs vary, common early symptoms of dementia include: memory problems, particularly remembering recent events. increasing confusion.
Age. The biggest risk factor for dementia is ageing. This means as a person gets older, their risk of developing dementia increases a lot. For people aged between 65 and 69, around 2 in every 100 people have dementia.
Studies have shown a correlation between diets high in excess saturated fats, simple sugars, and ultra-processed foods and an increased risk of developing dementia. Examples of foods to avoid include processed meats, packaged snacks, sugary beverages and desserts, and excess alcohol.
Sources include fortified cereals, beans, peas, eggs, milk, cheese, bananas, leafy green vegetables, oily fish such as salmon and organ meats like beef liver (perhaps not everybody's taste for breakfast, but if you like it, why not?!) The final piece in building a brain-boosting breakfast is hydration.
When someone gets the diagnosis of dementia, a cure is only very rarely possible (see p2 About Reversible Dementias). In the current issue of Neurology, Sacks and Shulman1 report one of these rare cases of a reversal of dementia involving a patient on steroid medication.