Hormone linked to prevention of over-eating may help reduce risk of Alzheimer’s disease

The research, which appears in the Journal of the American Medical Association, looked at brain scans from 198 older people after measuring their leptin levels. It found a quarter of those with the lowest levels of leptin developed Alzheimer's compared with six per cent of those with the highest levels.

'This is an important study that provides exciting data suggesting a link between higher levels of leptin and a reduced risk of Alzheimer's disease. Further investigation is now needed to understand this relationship. This could move us closer to understanding the causes of the disease and provide vital information for drug development.

'However dementia research is dramatically underfunded. There are currently 700,000 people in the UK living with dementia but the Government spends eight times less on dementia research than cancer research. Only with the right investment can dementia be defeated.'

 

Susanne Sorensen
Head of Research
Alzheimer's Society

Ends

Study: 'Association of plasma leptin levels with incident Alzheimer's disease and MRI measures of brain aging' by Dr Sudha Seshadri et al.

Notes to editors

 

• One in three people over 65 will die with dementia
• Alzheimer's Society research shows that 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.
• Alzheimer's Society champions the rights of people living with dementia and the millions of people who care for them.
• Alzheimer's Society works in England, Wales and Northern Ireland
• Alzheimer's Society needs to raise money to help people live well with dementia today and for research 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