Only 2% of Alzheimer’s is 100% genetic. The rest is up to your daily habits.

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People want a perfect memory. They wish that they can remember everything that they want to remember. But it doesn't work like that.

Most people over the age of 50 think that forgetting someone's name or forgetting why they went into the kitchen is a sign of Alzheimer's. It isn't. Most of our forgetfulness is perfectly normal.

If you are worried about developing Alzheimer's or another form of dementia, some simple lifestyle modifications can help prevent it: getting enough sleep, exercising, eating a balanced diet, and managing stress.

Read the video transcript ► https://bigthink.com/videos/cognitive...

00:00 The truth about memory & forgetting
01:12 Alzheimer's cause & symptoms
04:21 You need sleep
05:13 Eat a healthy diet
05:45 Exercise, even a little bit
06:15 Reduce stress levels
07:15 Always learn new things
08:39 The good news ...



About Lisa Genova:
Lisa Genova is the New York Times bestselling author of the novels Still Alice, Left Neglected, Love Anthony, Inside the O’Briens, and Every Note Played. Still Alice was adapted into an Oscarwinning film starring Julianne Moore, Alec Baldwin, and Kristen Stewart. Lisa graduated valedictorian from Bates College with a degree in biopsychology and holds a PhD in neuroscience from Harvard University. She travels worldwide speaking about the neurological diseases she writes about and has appeared on The Dr. Oz Show, Today, PBS NewsHour, CNN, and NPR. Her TED talk, “What You Can Do to Prevent Alzheimer’s,” has been viewed more than five million times. The New York Times bestseller REMEMBER is her first work of nonfiction.



Read more of our stories on cognitive decline:
Your personality is linked to risk of dementia and cognitive decline
► https://bigthink.com/neuropsych/perso...
Is sleeping longer than 6.5 hours a night associated with cognitive decline?
► https://bigthink.com/health/sleepcog...
Risk factors that determine whether you’re more or less likely to develop cognitive decline
► https://bigthink.com/neuropsych/risk...



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