A new study, published in the journal The Lancet Neurology, looked at the potential for prevention of Alzheimer’s disease. The researchers note that recent estimates place half the Alzheimer’s burden at the fault of risk factors that may be modifiable. In the study, the research team focused on calculating the preventable portion of the Alzheimer’s incidence, finding that approximately one-third was attributable to risk factors that could be altered.

In an analysis of the study, BBC News identifies the modifiable risk factors as diabetes, mid-life hypertension, physical inactivity, depression, smoking, mid-life obesity, and low educational attainment. While age is still the biggest risk factor for developing dementia, living a healthier lifestyle may help prevent or delay Alzheimer’s. Simply tackling physical inactivity, for example, will reduce levels of obesity, hypertension, and diabetes, generally being healthier in old age. Then, there is the added benefit of preventing dementia.

According to the Alzheimer’s Association, dementia is a general term for a decline in mental ability severe enough to interfere with daily life.  Memory loss is an example.  Alzheimer’s is the most common type of dementia.  Dementia is not a specific disease.  Rather, it is an overall term that describes a wide range of symptoms associated with a decline in memory or other thinking skills severe enough to reduce a person’s ability to perform everyday activities.  Alzheimer’s disease accounts for 60 to 80 percent of cases.  Vascular dementia, which occurs after a stroke, is the second most common dementia type.

In a study published in the journal Nature Medicine, the research team notes that Alzheimer’s disease causes a progressive dementia that currently affects over 35 million individuals worldwide and is expected to affect 115 million by 2050. As of yet, there are no cures or disease-modifying therapies.