I
n this chapter we will review some of the evidence of the critical
role of environmental factors in common forms of dementia,
and in cognitive decline more generally. While a comprehensive
review of the literature is beyond the scope of this report, we have
tried to clarify some of the key drivers. We have limited this review
to environmental chemicals, nutrition, health and social conditions,
and exercise. We have not considered the potential role of infectious
agents, cigarette smoking, caffeine, drugs of abuse, estrogen, and
pharmaceuticals, among other factors