According to a new Swedish study, a link has been made between an increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease and obesity related gene variant. Also, other lifestyle preventives can decrease the risk of dementia such as sufficient physical activity, appropriate levels of vitamin D in blood and tea drinking. Read on to more about the link between Alzheimer’s and obesity gene.
The FTO Gene Variant
This study was conducted at the Karolinska Institute located in Stockholm on 1,000 Swedes who were 75-years old or more.
A specific gene variant of FTO was responsible in increasing the risk of Alzheimer’s disease by 58%. This FTO gene influences diabetes risk, levels of leptin and body mass index (BMI). Leptin is a hormone that affects metabolism and appetite. These 3 factors have been linked with Alzheimer’s in several other studies.
Researchers believe that still more research has to be done in this arena. Yet, this study is unique as the discovered was independent of other risk factors associated with FTO, like obesity and diabetes.
About Alzheimer’s Disease
Alzheimer’s disease was found by Dr. Alois Alzheimer. He studied changes in the brain tissue of a women. She died because of a “mental illness.” The symptoms included speech problems, erratic behavior and memory loss.
He found several unusual and distinct clumps as per the National Institute on Aging. These clumps are now known as amyloid plaques. The plaques along with the loss of nerve cell links and tangles are the main factors of this disease.
Dementia is known as a set of behavioral problems that is associated with Alzheimer’s disease. According to the National Institute of Aging, Alzheimer’s disease can affect nearly 5.1 million individuals. This is the one of the most common form of dementia.
The link between Alzheimer’s disease and obesity is going to make an groundbreaking impact in the world of research and medicine.
