- Researchers meeting in Sweden next week will present the strongest evidence to date that heart disease risk factors such as high blood pressure and cholesterol could also contribute to Alzheimer's disease, a leading scientist said on Thursday. Dr. William Thies, vice president of the Alzheimer's Association, said the most striking aspect of the 8th International Conference on Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders, which starts on Sunday in Stockholm, is the number of studies into lifestyle factors that influence a person's likelihood of developing the brain-wasting disease. "While more research is necessary, especially in the form of prevention trials, we're seeing the strongest evidence yet that there is a relationship between healthy aging and a reduced risk of Alzheimer's," said Thies. Alzheimer's disease develops when normal proteins fold in an unusual way and form clumps called amyloid deposits in the brain. It affects as many as 10% of people over the age of 65.  In a statement released ahead of the meeting, the US researcher highlighted studies that will show controlling lifestyle factors may have a role in preventing or delaying the onset of Alzheimer's. "These studies are further evidence that knowing and managing your numbers--your blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar levels, as well as your body weight--contribute to healthier aging and may decrease your risk for Alzheimer's," Thies said. "The studies on exercise, which helps maintain blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar levels as well as body weight, are impressive," he added. Other presentations at the meeting will examine possible new drug targets, including the development of vaccines to clear up amyloid deposits, as well as advances in earlier diagnosis of the condition. (juli 2002)