Your health in your 50s could determine whether or not you'll get late-life Alzheimer's.

According to a new study, mid-life vascular risk factors are associated with the development of late-life Alzheimer's disease.

Doctor Jagan Pillai with the Cleveland Clinic says the results show that mid-life behaviors can impact our brain composition later in life.  Dr. Pillai says the study shows that changes which happen in connection with Alzheimer's takes decades to develop in the brain.

Researchers compiled data from over 300 people over a 25-year period.  They found that people who smoked, were obese, had high blood pressure, diabetes or high cholesterol in their 50s were more likely to develop high levels of brain protein deposits while in their 70s, putting them at a higher risk for Alzheimer's disease.



Source: Cleveland Clinic