Alzheimer’s disease can be a tricky condition to diagnose in patients because there is no definitive test for the disease nor can it be 100 percent diagnosed until after death, when an autopsy can be performed. Determining the causes of the disease can be equally tricky.

The Brain

Some scientists have proposed that Alzheimer’s disease is a result of abnormalities in the brain. Other scientists assert that the abnormalities may be the result of the disease itself. These abnormalities may include plaques and lesions in the brain that can be studied after death in an autopsy. Scientists have also proposed that neurotransmitters themselves may play a role in the disease. Patients with Alzheimer’s disease appear to produce fewer neurotransmitters than other people. These neurotransmitters include the chemicals serotonin and acetylcholine, among others.

Gender and Family

Approximately 10 percent of people over age 65 have Alzheimer’s disease. The disease may also have something to do with gender: more women than men are afflicted with Alzheimer’s disease. The question remains whether family and genetics play a role in the development of the disease. Statistics have shown that fewer than one percent of people have inherited the disease.

Other Causes

There are a few other interesting facts about the causes and occurrences of Alzheimer’s disease. One particularly fascinating fact is that people with Down’s Syndrome tend to develop the disease during their 30s and 40s, although scientists are not exactly sure why. Also, people who have suffered from severe head injuries can be prone to developing the disease.

More controversial factors that have been discussed as possible causes include environmental toxins such as zinc and aluminum, although scientists are not sure whether it is too much or too little of the minerals that contribute to the development of the disease. Low educational levels may also contribute, but scientists have not yet determined why. It does appear, though, that the more a person uses his brain, the less chance he has of developing the disease. High cholesterol, high blood pressure, and viruses have also been cited as factors that may contribute to the development of Alzheimer’s disease.