IPB University Medical Faculty Lecturer: There is No Cure for Alzheimer’s, a Healthy Lifestyle is the Main Defense
To date, there is no therapy that can cure Alzheimer’s, the most common type of dementia in the world. However, according to dr Yeni Quinta Mondiani, a lecturer at the IPB University Faculty of Medicine, the risk of this disease can be reduced through a healthy lifestyle.
On World Alzheimer’s Day, dr Yeni revealed that Alzheimer’s is the most common type of dementia globally, accounting for 60-80 percent of all dementia cases.
“Dementia itself is a collection of symptoms of severe cognitive decline that interfere with daily activities,” she explained. Cognitive functions, dr Yeni continued, include not only memory, but also attention, visuospatial abilities (recognizing body parts), language, and executive functions related to decision-making.
Apart from Alzheimer’s, the second most common type of dementia is vascular dementia, which is related to blood vessel disorders in the brain, one of which is caused by stroke.
dr Yeni added that Alzheimer’s dementia generally appears in people over the age of 65, with a higher prevalence in developed countries. The main cause is the accumulation of abnormal proteins in the brain, namely beta amyloid. In certain cases, gene mutations can trigger early-onset Alzheimer’s or dementia before the age of 65.
“Symptoms include cognitive decline preceded by severe memory loss. Eventually, all of the patient’s intellectual functions are impaired to the point that they have difficulty performing daily activities. Alzheimer’s generally develops slowly and worsens with age,” she explained.
To date, there is no cure for Alzheimer’s disease. However, dr Yeni emphasized that the risk can be reduced through a healthy lifestyle: staying physically active, managing stress, avoiding tobacco and alcohol, and controlling vascular risk factors such as diabetes and hypertension.
“A healthy lifestyle is a concrete step toward reducing the risk of Alzheimer’s dementia. Prevention is far better than waiting until cognitive function has already declined,” she concluded. (dh)(IAAS/RWA)
