Psychosocial risk factors in Alzheimer's disease

Psychosocial stress has been shown to contribute to neurodegenerative chang es and has been discussed as a pathogenic element in Alzheimer's disease (A D). However, studies investigating this aspect are rare. We performed a cas e-control study on 50 clinically diagnosed probable AD patients and 90 cont rols consisting of surgical patients. Interviews were performed by trained personnel, using a questionnaire, a semi-structured interview, and a psycho social risk list protocol. Findings are presented as marginal and partial o dds ratio from linear logistic regressions. Adapting to an active but unpro ductive working style as well as living with a dominant spouse is associate d with significant risk for AD. Protective factors are high self-esteem and working in one's desired job. Our results indicate psychosocial factors as a possible agent in the latent development of AD and may shift the focus f rom more traditional risk factors to hitherto almost neglected psychosocial factors in a disease of still unknown etiology.