It gets passed down.
A recent study has found that individuals whose fathers had Alzheimer’s disease may face a heightened risk of developing brain changes commonly associated with the condition. The research, published in Neurology, indicates that these individuals exhibited greater accumulation of tau proteins—a key feature in the progression of Alzheimer’s.
Tau proteins, when they form tangles in the brain, are linked to the cognitive decline seen in later stages of Alzheimer’s. While previous studies have typically emphasized the maternal line in genetic transmission of Alzheimer’s risk, this study shifts the focus, revealing that paternal history may also play a significant role. Lead researcher Sylvia Villeneuve, who specializes in early detection of Alzheimer’s at McGill University, noted the unexpected nature of the results, having initially hypothesized that maternal history would show a stronger connection.
The research followed 243 adults with a familial link to Alzheimer’s but no current memory or cognitive impairments, with an average participant age of 68. Family history was defined as having one or both parents—or at least two siblings—diagnosed with the disease. Participants underwent cognitive assessments and brain imaging over a span of nearly seven years. During that time, 71 individuals developed mild cognitive impairment, a condition that often precedes Alzheimer’s.
Among those studied, individuals with an Alzheimer’s-affected father showed a wider distribution of tau protein in the brain. The presence of these proteins also correlated with more pronounced cognitive decline in this group. Interestingly, the study also highlighted that women, overall, exhibited greater tau buildup, suggesting they may be more vulnerable to advanced stages of the disease.
The findings underscore the importance of understanding how both parental history and biological sex influence Alzheimer’s risk. According to Villeneuve, such insights could pave the way for tailored preventative strategies and more personalized treatment approaches for those at risk of developing Alzheimer’s.
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