Carotid artery intima-media thickness status is associated with dementia incidence Although studies have found vascular risk factors to be associated with all-cause dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, few studies have examined the correlation between subclinical atherosclerosis and potential risk of dementia. Carrington R., PhD, of the National Agency on Aging in Baltimore, USA, and others have found that carotid atherosclerosis is associated with dementia through their research. Early intervention to reduce atherosclerosis could help alleviate or prevent dementia and Alzheimer’s disease AD. The researchers concluded that multiple indicators of carotid atherosclerosis are associated with potential risk of dementia. The risk was greatest for those in the upper quintile of carotid intima-media thickness or those with bilateral carotid plaques. These findings underscore that early intervention to reduce atherosclerosis may help slow or defend against dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.