The aim of INVADE (Intervention project on cerebrovascular diseases and dementia in the district of Ebersberg) is to analyse the effect of risk factor evaluation and modification (arterial hypertension, dyslipoproteinaemia, diabetes mellitus,hyperhomocysteinaemie, smoking, adipositas, alcohol abuse, lack of movement and depression) on the incidence of stroke and dementia in a population based sample. Stroke represents the third-common cause of death in the industrialized countries and is together with dementia one of the main causes for dependency in the activities of daily living. The project was performed in an area near to Munich, the district of Ebersberg. Risk factors were evaluated and if necessary modified by means of the primary care concept. INVADE was performed in cooperation with the health insurance company AOK and most of the general practitioners (n=65) of the district. All inhabitants of the district born 1946 and earlier who were also member of the AOK (10548 persons) are able to participate.