Overview of Alzheimer's disease in Nigeria

Abstract

Data on Alzheimer s disease (AD) in Nigeria have come largely from studies carried out by the Ibadan-Indianapolis dementia cross-cultural, collaborative research group. The age-adjusted prevalence of AD in Nigeria is 1.41% with female preponderance. The pattern of impairment is similar to documentation in other environments. The two significant risk factors are old age and female gender, while living with others appeared to be protective and there is lack of association with apolipoprotein E unlike the findings in African Americans. Further studies on disease incidence, mortality patterns and the role of vascular risk factors could provide further information on appropriate preventive measures to be undertaken to avoid an epidemic of the condition, more so as the population is ageing and the enormous resources that may be required may overwhelm our capability.