A Universal Consequence of Aging or a Byproduct of Modern Industrialized Lifestyles? A Review of Epidemiological and Environmental Influences
Open Access DepositedAlzheimer’s Disease
Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder and the leading cause of dementia globally. While aging is the strongest known risk factor, this thesis explores the hypothesis that AD may also be a byproduct of modern industrialized lifestyles. Through a review of biological, environmental and epidemiological research, this study examines whether AD is an inevitable consequence of aging or influenced by modifiable factors that may vary across human populations globally, such as physical inactivity, poor diet, environmental toxins and socioeconomic disparities. Key findings highlight that age-related biological changes, including brain atrophy, inflammation, oxidative stress and vascular damage interact with lifestyle and environmental exposures to elevate AD risk. Cross-cultural and global comparisons reveal significant variation in AD prevalence, particularly between industrialized and traditional societies and underscore the underrepresentation of genetic data from non-European populations. Moreover, this thesis reviews genetic contributions such as APOE variants and emerging genome-wide association studies (GWAS/GWAX) across diverse populations, emphasizing the importance of inclusive, population-specific research. The evidence suggests that while AD is globally prevalent, it is not universally inevitable. Integrated strategies combining prevention, awareness and equitable access to care are critical for addressing the growing AD burden, particularly in low-and middle-income countries.
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