Prevalence of Potentially Modifiable Risk Factors in Persons At-Risk for Alzheimer’s Disease

TL;DR

This study identifies common modifiable risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease in at-risk individuals and highlights opportunities for intervention.

Contribution

The study provides empirical evidence on the prevalence of modifiable Alzheimer’s risk factors in a high-risk population.

Findings

Most participants had a family history of dementia or carried the ApoE4 allele.

Common modifiable risk factors included sleep disorders, elevated LDL cholesterol, and weak social networks.

Cognitive assessments revealed frequent difficulties in memory and executive function.

Abstract

Addressing modifiable medical and lifestyle risk factors may reduce the incidence of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD). The Cedars-Sinai Memory & Health Aging Program (MHAP) promotes brain health via personalized risk profiling and risk reduction among asymptomatic adults aged 40 years and older at risk for ADRD. MHAP was launched with an email invitation to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center patients. Eligibility required age 40 or older, no cognitive or neurological diagnosis, and presence of two or more ADRD risk factors. Participants completed a 90-minute in-person visit assessing ADRD risk factors and cognitive performance. Of 123 enrolled patients, 84 (68.2%) had a family history of dementia or carried at least one ApoE4 allele. The mean age was 59.5 years; 63.1% were female. Most were White (77.4%) or Asian (9.5%), non-Hispanic (95.2%), and highly educated (91.7% college graduate or higher). Common risk factors included family history of ADRD in a first-degree relative (92.9%), weak social networks (52.4%), sleep disorder (51.2%), elevated LDL cholesterol (50%), and obstructive sleep apnea (50%). Among those completing the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), the average score was 26.0, with frequent difficulties in delayed recall (91.9%), visuospatial/executive function (52.7%), language (36.5%), and attention (27.0%). Personalized risk profiling revealed high rates of modifiable ADRD risk factors, including sleep disorders, elevated cholesterol, and low physical and social activity. Targeted interventions addressing these factors may reduce future ADRD risk in at-risk populations.