Dementia Risk Prediction: Are We There Yet?
Sanjeev M. Kamat, MDa,b,c,d,*, Anjali S. Kamat, MDe,
George T. Grossberg, MDd

SUMMARY
There are several risk factors for the development of dementia, including AD, as there are protective factors that may protect against its development . The authors are working on developing the Saint Louis University DRI. In this risk index, one would get plus points for having 1 or more of the protective factors, such as adherence to the Mediterranean diet or having no family history of AD, and negative points for having one of the risk factors, such as higher age or less education. However, it is challenging to develop this risk index at this time, because it is not known which risk factors and protective factors are more important and which are less important. Weighing the relative contribution/importance of individual risk and protective factors has delayed the development of a DRI. As the authors struggle to develop a meaningful DRI, it is becoming apparent that there are many modifiable risk and protective factors. It is important that we educate at-risk patients and family members of those with dementia about the importance of addressing modifiable factors as early as possible so as to potentially delay or decrease the risks of developing dementias such as AD. Truly, prevention is the wave of the future in the dementia arena.

Clin Geriatr Med 26 (2010) 113–123

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