Alzheimers Disease Genetics: Youre More Likely to Get it from Mom

Alzheimers disease is the most common cause of dementia - and one of the most challenging diseases a person and their family must face. Researchers already know that people who have close family members, particularly a mother, father, sister or brother with this progressive brain disease are more likely to get it themselves, but environmental factors play a role too.

Alzheimers Disease Genetics: Youre More Likely to Get It From Your Mom

According to a study published in the journal Neurology, youre more likely to "get" Alzheimers disease from your mother rather as opposed to your father.

How did researchers reach this conclusion? After following 53 healthy seniors for two years while doing cognitive testing and brain imaging, they found that seniors who had a mother with the disease had more brain shrinkage over the 2 year period than those who had a father with Alzheimers dementia. So mom may have more influence over your Alzheimers disease risk than good, old dad, at least according to this study.

The Most Common Cause of Dementia Isnt Completely Understood

This is not to say youre destined to get the disease if your mother had it, because lifestyle has an impact on Alzheimers disease genetics too. There is a form of the disease called early-onset Alzheimers disease thats strongly inherited. People who inherit the gene for this more aggressive form of the disease develop Alzheimers dementia much earlier in life, usually before the age of 60 - and sometimes as young as age 30. Sadly, most people with the gene will eventually get the disease.

Most cases of Alzheimers disease are of the late-onset type. This type of Alzheimers dementia has been linked with a gene on chromosome 19 called the apolipoprotein E gene. People with this gene dont necessarily develop Alzheimers disease. There is a blood test to detect it although having the gene doesnt tell you whether youll get Alzheimers disease - only that youre at higher risk.

The Bottom Line?

As you can see, Alzheimers disease genetics arent completely understood, and this new piece of the puzzle makes the issue even more complex. But even if you have a mother who has late-onset Alzheimers disease, it doesnt necessarily mean youll get it too. But to reduce your risk, lose weight if youre obese, stop smoking and get aerobic exercise daily. Keep your mind active and develop a strong social network. These small lifestyle changes may help ward off this all-too-common brain disease.

References:

Eurekalert.org. "More Evidence That Alzheimers Disease May Be Inherited From Your Mother"

National Institute for Aging. "Alzheimers Fact Sheet"

Merck Manual. Eighteenth edition. 2006.