True or False: The most significant risk factor for Alzheimer's disease is advancing age.

True or False: The most significant risk factor for Alzheimer's disease is advancing age.

• A. False
• B. Genetics
• C. Diet
• D. True

Answer: (D)

Advancing age is the strongest risk factor for Alzheimer's disease in the general population. The likelihood of developing Alzheimer’s increases with age, and the vast majority of cases occur in older adults. While genetics can influence risk—for example, certain gene variants like APOE ε4 raise the chance of developing the disease, and rare familial forms are driven by mutations in APP, PSEN1, or PSEN2—these genetic factors affect a smaller portion of people and do not surpass age as the overall predictor of risk. Therefore, stating that advancing age is the most significant risk factor captures what population studies show about who develops Alzheimer’s.

Advancing age is the strongest risk factor for Alzheimer's disease in the general population. The likelihood of developing Alzheimer’s increases with age, and the vast majority of cases occur in older adults. While genetics can influence risk—for example, certain gene variants like APOE ε4 raise the chance of developing the disease, and rare familial forms are driven by mutations in APP, PSEN1, or PSEN2—these genetic factors affect a smaller portion of people and do not surpass age as the overall predictor of risk. Therefore, stating that advancing age is the most significant risk factor captures what population studies show about who develops Alzheimer’s.