Final answer:
Increasing age is the biggest risk factor for Alzheimer's disease, with other factors such as genetics and lifestyle also contributing to the disease's development.
Step-by-step explanation:
The biggest risk factor for Alzheimer's disease is increasing age. Alzheimer's is a neurodegenerative type of dementia that exhibits a loss of neurons, especially in the hippocampus, and is characterized by amyloid plaques, neurofibrillary tangles, and overall brain volume shrinkage. Although other factors, such as genetics, lifestyle, and environmental factors, do play a role, the prevalence of Alzheimer's disease significantly increases with age, making it the primary risk factor. It is important to note that while treatments such as cholinesterase inhibitors can manage symptoms or slow progression, there is currently no cure for the disease.