Does Alzheimer’s Run Through Families?

Family history

Those who have a parent, brother or sister with Alzheimer’s are more likely to develop the disease. The risk increases if more than one family member has the illness. When diseases tend to run in families, either heredity (genetics), environmental factors, or both, may play a role.

A child whose biological mother or father carries a genetic mutation for one of these three genes has a 50/50 chance of inheriting that mutation. If the mutation is in fact inherited, the child has a very strong probability of developing early-onset Alzheimer’s disease.

Lower levels of education, higher rates of poverty, and greater exposure to adversity and discrimination may also increase risk of Alzheimer’s disease. Among all races, women are nearly two times more likely to be affected by Alzheimer’s disease than men. The difference is due primarily to women living longer.

For most people with Alzheimer’s — those who have the late-onset variety — symptoms first appear in their mid-60s or later. When the disease develops before age 65, it’s considered early-onset Alzheimer’s, which can begin as early as a person’s 30s, although this is rare.

Social isolation is a risk factor not only for dementia but also for hypertension, coronary heart disease, and depression [1]. Low social participation, fewer social contacts, and more loneliness have all been associated with increased dementia risk.

Although scientists have conducted many studies, and more are ongoing, so far nothing has been proven to prevent or delay dementia caused by Alzheimer’s disease. But researchers have identified promising strategies and are learning more about what might—and might not—work.

More Evidence That Alzheimer’s Disease May Be Inherited from Your Mother. Results from a new study contribute to growing evidence that if one of your parents has Alzheimer’s disease, the chances of inheriting it from your mother are higher than from your father.

Women are disproportionately affected by Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Nearly two-thirds of the more than 5 million Americans living with Alzheimer’s are women and two-thirds of the more than 15 million Americans providing care and support for someone with Alzheimer’s disease are women.

We all inherit a copy of some form of APOE from each parent. Those who inherit one copy of APOE-e4 from their mother or father have an increased risk of developing Alzheimer’s. Those who inherit two copies from their mother and father have an even higher risk, but not a certainty.

And doctors can generally diagnose Alzheimer’s disease without the use of genetic testing. Testing for the mutant genes that have been linked to early-onset Alzheimer’s — APP , PSEN1 and PSEN2 — may provide more-certain results if you’re showing early symptoms or if you have a family history of early-onset disease.

Alzheimer’s disease tends to develop slowly over time. If confusion and other changes in mental abilities come on suddenly, within hours or days, the problem may be delirium. Delirium needs treatment right away.

What foods promote Alzheimer’s?

Many foods in the Western diet have been identified as risk factors for dementia and Alzheimer’s, including red and processed meats, refined grains, sweets, and desserts. Excess alcohol intake, saturated fatty acids, and foods with a high number of calories are also risk factors for Alzheimer’s.

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