Body Mass Index in Midlife and Risk of Alzheimer Disease and Vascular Dementia

Authors: Whitmer, Rachel A.; Gunderson, Erica P.; Quesenberry, Charles P.; Zhou, Jufen; Yaffe, Kristine

Source: Current Alzheimer Research, Volume 4, Number 2, April 2007 , pp. 103-109(7)

Publisher: Bentham Science Publishers

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Abstract:

Prior work has suggested that obesity and overweight as measured by body mass index (BMI) increases risk of dementia. It is unknown if there is a difference in the risk of developing Alzheimer disease (AD) versus vascular dementia (VaD) associated with high body weight. The goal of this study was to examine the association between midlife BMI and risk of both AD and VaD an average of 36 years later in a large (N= 10,136) and diverse cohort of members of a health care delivery system. Participants aged 40-45 participated in health exams between 1964 and 1968. AD and VaD diagnoses were obtained from Neurology visits between January 1, 1994 and June 15, 2006. Those with diagnoses of general dementia from primary care providers were excluded from the study. BMI was analyzed in WHO categories of underweight, overweight and obese, as well as in subdivisions of WHO categories. All models were fully adjusted for age, education, race, sex, marital status, smoking, hyperlipidemia, hypertension, diabetes, ischemic heart disease and stroke. Cox proportional hazard models showed that compared to those with a normal BMI (18.5-24.9), those obese (BMI > 30) at midlife had a 3.10 fold increase in risk of AD (fully adjusted model, Hazard Ratio=3.10, 95% CI 2.19-4.38), and a five fold increase in risk of VaD (fully adjusted model, HR=5.01, 95% CI 2.98-8.43) while those overweight ( BMI > 25 and <30) had a two fold increase in risk of AD and VaD (fully adjusted model, HR=2.09, 95% CI 1.69-2.60 for AD and HR=1.95, 95% CI 1.29-2.96 for VaD). These data suggest that midlife BMI is strongly predictive of both AD and VaD, independent of stroke, cardiovascular and diabetes co morbidities. Future studies need to unveil the mechanisms between adiposity and excess risk of AD and VaD.

Keywords: obesity; overweight; body mass index; Alzheimer disease; vascular dementia; dementia; adiposity; midlife

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.2174/156720507780362047

Affiliations: 1: Kaiser Permanente Division of Research, Etiology & Prevention, 2000 Broadway, Oakland, CA 94612,USA.

Publication date: 2007-04-01

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Current Alzheimer Research publishes peer-reviewed frontier review and research articles on all areas of Alzheimer's disease. This multidisciplinary journal will help in understanding the neurobiology, genetics, pathogenesis, and treatment strategies of Alzheimer's disease. The journal publishes objective reviews written by experts and leaders actively engaged in research using cellular, molecular, and animal models. The journal also covers original articles on recent research in fast emerging areas of molecular diagnostics, brain imaging, drug development and discovery, and clinical aspects of Alzheimer's disease. Manuscripts are encouraged that relate to the synergistic mechanism of Alzheimer's disease with other dementia and neurodegenerative disorders. Book reviews, meeting reports and letters-to-the-editor are also published. The journal is essential reading for researchers, educators and physicians with interest in age-related dementia and Alzheimer's disease. Current Alzheimer Research provides a comprehensive 'bird's-eye view' of the current state of Alzheimer's research for neuroscientists, clinicians, health science planners, granting, caregivers and families of this devastating disease.

Body Mass Index in Midlife and Risk of Alzheimer Disease and Vascular Dementia

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