Mental Health Promotion - Dementia

MENTAL HEALTH PROMOTION

Research continues to identify risk factors for dementia. People with elevated levels of plasma homocysteine are at increased risk for dementia. As levels of plasma homo-cysteine increase, so does the risk for dementia (Selhub, 2008). Because folate, vitamin B₁₂, and betaine are known to reduce plasma homocysteine levels, potential therapeu-tic strategies using these substances may modify or dimin-ish the risk for dementia. Clinical trials currently are in progress to see if lowering homocysteine levels actually decreases the risk for dementia and whether taking high supplemental doses of B vitamins slows the progression of Alzheimer’s disease.

People who regularly participate in brain-stimulating activities such as reading books and newspapers or doing crossword puzzles are less likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease than those who do not. Engaging in leisure-time physical activity during midlife and having a large social network are associated with a decreased risk for Alzheim-er’s disease in later life (Coley et al., 2008).