Specifically, patients who speak one language that were followed in this study became symptomatic at 72 years of age while those that were bilingual first became symptomatic at 78 years of age. www.associatesinneurology.com/frequently-asked-questions-what-are-the-risk-factors-for-alzheimers-disease/. Physical exercise in midlife has also been associated with reduced risk for the development of Alzheimer’s disease independent of other risk factors. Theoretically “cognitive exercise” may also reduce the risk for developing AD.