7 More Reasons to Have Hope in Finding a Cure for Alzheimer's

Dementia rates in people 65-years-old and older have dropped from 11.6 percent in 2000 to 8.8 percent in 2012, according to the JAMA International Medicine report. They also referenced a study from England, which found a 24% decline in expected cases between 1991 and 2011. While there is no set cure for Alzheimer’s or any dementia-related illness, research does show that better overall health leads to better brain health. In fact, there is a positive correlation between higher levels of education and lower risks of dementia. The higher the education, the more likely that person will exercise and smoke less. Doctors and patients alike are also being more vigilant when it comes to controlling their blood pressure levels as well as diabetes. Both of these conditions raise the risks of strokes, which often lead to cognitive decline.