Alzheimer’s Disease: How to Prevent It in Advance? A Multidisciplinary Perspective from Pathophysiology to Design-Driven Early Prevention

Abstract

Background: Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder imposing a growing burden on aging societies. While treatment receives much attention, early prevention remains underexplored by the public. Aim: This paper examines how AD can be prevented through daily lifestyle interventions, drawing on genetic insights, biomarker research, pharmacological progress, and design-oriented approaches. Methods: The paper reviews AD etiology, pathophysiology, global aging trends, and existing prevention programs (e.g., FINGERS). It also analyzes two design concepts (Ambient Assisted Living and a smart vase for reminiscence therapy) and reports original survey data on public awareness. Findings: Global aging, declining birth rates, and rising young-onset AD (including a case at age 19) make early prevention urgent. Over 93% of survey respondents were unaware AD can be prevented in advance. Multidomain lifestyle interventions show cognitive benefits (e.g., 25% improvement in FINGERS), and design-driven solutions can support brain stimulation, safety monitoring, and social engagement. Conclusion: Early prevention of AD is scientifically feasible and socially necessary. Designers have a critical role in translating medical evidence into everyday tools that help people—especially those over 45 and the elderly—prolong cognitive health.

Keywords

• Alzheimer’s disease
• early prevention
• lifestyle intervention
• design for dementia
• ambient assisted living

References

1. Communications. WHY PEOPLE WITH DEMENTIA GO MISSING. 29 Oct 2020.
2. Dharmarajan TS, Gunturu SG. Alzheimer's Disease: A Healthcare Burden of Epidemic Proportion. Am J Manag Care. 2009;2(1):39–47.
3. Rogers K. Most people do not know these possible signs of early Alzheimer's. CNN, 15 March 2022.
4. WHO. Ageing and health. 1 Oct 2022.
5. Kivipelto M, et al. The Finnish Geriatric Intervention Study to Prevent Cognitive Impairment and Disability (FINGERS): Study design and progress. Alzheimer's & Dementia. 2013;9(6):657–665.
6. Harrison J, et al. A neuropsychological test battery for use in Alzheimer disease clinical trials. Arch Neurol. 2007;64(9):1323–1329.
7. What Is Alzheimer's Disease? N Engl J Med, 1986.
8. Maccioni RB, Muñoz JP, Barbeito L. The molecular bases of Alzheimer's disease and other neurodegenerative disorders. Arch Med Res. 2001.
9. Napoli E. Molecular, Translational and Clinical Research on the Two Most Common Forms of Neurodegenerative Dementia. Int J Mol Sci. 2023;24(9):7996.
10. Heron M. Deaths: Leading Causes for 2016. National Vital Statistics Reports, 2018.
11. Bonin-Guillaume S, et al. Impact économique de la démence. Presse Med. 2005;34(1):35–41.
12. Meek PD, McKeithan K, Schumock GT. Economic considerations in Alzheimer's disease. Pharmacotherapy. 1998;18(2 Pt 2):68–73.
13. Yang HD, et al. History of Alzheimer's disease. Dement Neurocogn Disord. 2016;15(4):115–121.
14. Staff Writer. A 19-Year-Old Is Youngest Ever to Be Diagnosed with Alzheimer's. 14 Feb 2023.
15. Morrison C. 19-year-old Chinese man becomes youngest ever patient to be diagnosed with ALZHEIMER'S. Daily Mail, 15 Feb 2023.
16. Alzheimer touche aussi les jeunes. 21 June 2023.
17. Franceinfo. Alzheimer : Le Chemin, première résidence de France pour "jeunes patients" (video).
18. Tripathi T, Kalita P. Synergistic Effect of Amyloid-β and Tau Disrupts Neural Circuits. ACS Chem Neurosci. 2019;10(3):1008–1010.
19. Niedowicz DM, Nelson PT, Murphy MP. Alzheimer's Disease: Pathological Mechanisms and Recent Insights. Curr Neuropharmacol. 2011;9(4):674–684.
20. Liu CC, et al. Apolipoprotein E and Alzheimer disease: risk, mechanisms, and therapy. Nat Rev Neurol. 2013;9(2):106–118.
21. NHS. Causes -- Alzheimer's disease. [online]
22. Eurostat. Households by number of children in Europe. 2017.
23. Alvarez P. Charted: The Rapid Decline of Global Birth Rates. 16 June 2023.
24. Mura T, Dartigues JF, Berr C. How many dementia cases in France and Europe? Eur J Neurol. 2010;17(9):1132–1138.
25. Zeltzer L, Marvin K. Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA). 2011.
26. ALZHEIMER : DEUX MARQUEURS PRÉCOCES IDENTIFIÉS ? 2019.
27. Tomographie par émission de positons. 2020.
28. Magnin E, Popp J. Les biomarqueurs du liquide céphalo-rachidien dans la maladie d'Alzheimer. Rev Neurol. 2016.
29. Les biomarqueurs sanguins d'Alzheimer. (online)
30. Altomare D, et al. Plasma biomarkers for Alzheimer's disease: a field-test in a memory clinic. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 2023.
31. Fédération Internationale. The digital divide: a problem that affects all countries! 19 Oct 2021.
32. Lin T, Cao J. Touch Interactive System Design with Intelligent Vase of Psychotherapy for Alzheimer's Disease. In: HCI International 2020. Springer.