Risk factors contributing to dementias of vascular and Alzheimer types

Factors accelerating cerebral degenerative changes represent potentially mo difiable risks for cognitive decline. Putative risk factors accelerating mi ld cognitive decline and dementia were correlated with repeated measures of cerebral atrophy, CT densitometry, perfusions and cognitive testing among neurologically and cognitively normative volunteers. TIAs, hypertension, sm oking and male gender accelerate cerebral degenerative changes, mild cognit ive decline and dementia. Intervention by control of risk factors and choli nesterase inhibitors should prevent cerebral atropho-degenerative changes s o that optimal cognitive performance is maintained.