Alzheimer’s Society comment on whether having a parent with dementia may affect memory in midlife
Published 19 February 2009
People who have parents diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia and APOE4 gene may be more likely to have memory loss themselves in middle age, new study shows.
The APOE4 gene is associated with higher risk of Alzheimer's. This study suggests that this risk gene may be particularly important for people with parents with Alzheimer's disease.
Alzheimer's Society comment:
We have just over 20,000 genes in our body, what role they play in Alzheimer's disease is an important avenue for research. This is an interesting study as it suggests that individuals who have the APOE4 gene and a parent with dementia are more likely to have some memory impairment in mid life. It is not yet clear whether they would go on to develop Alzheimer's.
Much more research is needed to unpick the complex relationship between APOE4 gene, a person's memory in middle life and their family history of dementia. Finding a way to identify people at increased risk of developing Alzheimer's disease before they develop symptoms could lead to the development of better treatments. It is too soon to say whether early genetic testing would be beneficial for this group of people.
One million people will develop dementia in the next ten years yet dementia research is desperately underfunded. With the right investment, dementia can be defeated.
Professor Clive Ballard
Director of Research
Notes to editors:
Experts and people with dementia and carers available to interview on request
- Alzheimer's disease is the most common form of dementia affecting over 415,000 people in the UK.
- Late onset Alzheimer's disease occurs over the age of 65 and is the most common form of Alzheimer's disease, accounting for over 99 per cent of cases.
- Currently, only one gene is known to influence disease development in late onset apolipoprotein E (APOE). APOE4 is associated with a higher risk of Alzheimer's. About a quarter of the population inherits one copy of the APOE4 gene. This increases their risk of developing Alzheimer's disease by up to four times.
- If your parent has dementia, your own chances of developing it are only a little higher than if there is no dementia in your family.
- 700,000 people in the UK have a form of dementia, more than half have Alzheimer's disease.
- In less than 20 years nearly a million people will be living with dementia. This will soar to 1.7 million people by 2051.
- 1 in 6 people over 80 have dementia.
- Alzheimer's Society campaigns for and champions the rights of people living with dementia and the millions who care for them.
- Alzheimer's Society works in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
- As a charity, Alzheimer's Society needs to raise money to care for people today and to find a cure for tomorrow. You can donate now by calling 0845 306 0898 or visiting alzheimers.org.uk.
- Alzheimer's Society provides a National Dementia Helpline, the number is 0845 300 0336 or visit alzheimers.org.uk
- For further information: 0207 423 3595 or 07802688774
- Alzheimer's Society, Devon House 58 St Katharine's Way, London, London E1W 1JX United Kingdom
