Abstract
The aim of this review is to present factors that are relevant to cognitive decline and risk of dementia in later life. With longer life expectancy, the likelihood of experiencing age-related cognitive difficulties has increased. Maintaining normal cognitive function is necessary for successful performance of activities of daily living and independence in later life. Although cognitive decline and dementia are sometimes unavoidable, there are ways in which people can modify their risk of these outcomes. Furthermore, the authors suggest that factors contributing to deviations from homeostasis may have adverse effects on brain health and possibly increase the risk of cognitive decline and dementia.