Alzheimer's linked to obesity gene

An obesity gene that causes excessive weight gain may also be linked to Alzheimer's disease, research suggests.

By The Newsroom

Published 14th Jul 2010, 10:06 BST

Updated 14th Jul 2010, 10:06 BST

Scientists found that people with the FTO-AA gene had a 58 per cent greater risk of Alzheimer's, the most common dementia. Overall dementia risks were up 48 per cent.

The risk of Alzheimer's doubled in those with both the obesity gene and the most common Alzheimer's gene, APOE4, a conference in Hawaii has heard.

Researchers at the Karolinska Institute in Sweden tested 1,000 elderly people for the genes before monitoring their progress for nine years, recording new cases of Alzheimer's or dementia.

Professor Clive Ballard, from the Alzheimer's Society, said: "We need a greater understanding of the link between genetic and lifestyle factors but until then, there are things we can all do to lower the odds of dementia. Eating healthily and exercising regularly will protect your head as well as your heart."

Alzheimer's Disease