2010 Volume 3 Issue 1 Pages 6-24
Dementia is divided roughly into cerebrovascular dementia and Alzheimer's disease. The former is a cerebral infarction blocked by many arteriosclerosis in relatively small blood vessel,and the later is a disease which brain tissue is destroyed by many amyloid β protein (Aβ). The onset mechanism of both diseases is connected with reactive oxygen species. Cerebrovascular dementia is arteriosclerosis connecting with oxidation of LDL by reactive oxygen species. The other hand,Alzheimer's disease is caused via destruction of brain tissue by reactive oxygen species produced from the complex-compound with Aβ and trace metal such as Fe,Cu and Zn. This mechanism is important to the strategy for development of therapeutic drugs,and to the primary prevention by improvement of life-style. Dementia may be a life-style related disease.
As a life-style which easily become dementia, excess intake of energy is pointed out. Especially, excess intake of animal fat and alcohol is risky. Intake-deficiency of vegetables and fruits containing many antioxidants,vitamin and minerals,and fish containing n-3 fatty acids are serious. Furthermore, smoking and less physical exercise and social communication are important risk factors.
In this review,I introduce the reasons why life-style and reactive oxygen species are causes of dementia, and the way how to do for the primary prevention of dementia.
