YOUR dad could hold clues as to whether or not you’ll develop dementia, according to a “surprising” study finding.
Family history is a crucial factor in identifying the risk of many diseases, including heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and certain cancers.
Most types of dementia aren’t passed down through the family, says the Alzheimer’s Society.
But research, published in the journal Neurology did find a familial link – people who have a dad with Alzheimer’s disease may also be at greater risk of dementia.
Previous studies have suggested that having a mother with Alzheimer’s may put you more at risk of developing the disease.
The new study found having a father with the neurodegenerative disease may be tied to a greater spread of the tau protein in the brain that is a warning sign of Alzheimer’s.
It was also found that female participants may be more at risk of a heavier build-up of tau protein than male participants.
Study author Dr Sylvia Villeneuve, of McGill University, Canada, said: “We were surprised to see that people with a father with Alzheimer’s were more vulnerable to the spread of tau in the brain, as we had hypothesised that we would see more brain changes in people with affected mothers.”
The study looked at 243 people who had a family history of Alzheimer’s disease, but had no thinking or memory problems themselves at an average age of 68.
Family history was defined as one or both parents with the disease or at least two siblings with the disease.
Participants had brain scans and took tests of thinking and memory skills at the outset and then during the study period as they were followed for an average of nearly seven years.
During that time, 71 people developed mild cognitive impairment, which is a precursor to Alzheimer’s disease.
[bc_video account_id=”5067014667001″ application_id=”” aspect_ratio=”16:9″ autoplay=”” caption=”Five simple tests that could indicate dementia” embed=”in-page” experience_id=”” height=”100%” language_detection=”” max_height=”360px” max_width=”640px” min_width=”0px” mute=”” padding_top=”56%” picture_in_picture=”” player_id=”default” playlist_id=”” playsinline=”” sizing=”responsive” video_id=”6365521889112″ video_ids=”” width=”640px”]The research team found that people with a father with Alzheimer’s disease as well as female participants had a greater spread of tau protein in the brain.
Female participants also had a heavier build-up of tau protein in the brain.
Dr Villeneuve added: “Better understanding these vulnerabilities could help us design personalised interventions to help protect against Alzheimer’s disease.”
The Alzheimer’s Society says the most important risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease is age.
Because Alzheimer’s disease is so common in people in their late 70s and 80s, having a parent or grandparent with Alzheimer’s disease at this age doesn’t change your risk compared to the rest of the population.
But the charity added: “If somebody has developed Alzheimer’s disease at an earlier age (for example, less than 60 years-old) there is a greater chance that it may be a type of Alzheimer’s disease that can be passed on.”