The researchers looked at how common it was for identical twins to both have Alzheimer's, or for only one to be affected. They also looked at the same patterns in non-identical twins.
It was more common for identical twins to both have Alzheimer's compared to non-identical, and risk rates in the groups gave the researchers their estimate of how significant genetic factors are.
The researchers estimated heritability - what proportion of risk for a disease across a population is genetic - for Alzheimer's to be between 58% and 79%.
Writing in the journal, they said: "In the largest twin study to date, we confirmed that heritability for Alzheimer's is high and that the same genetic factors are influential for both men and women.
"However, non-genetic risk factors also play an important role and might be the focus for interventions to reduce disease risk, or delay disease onset."
They added: "If individuals are worried that they may be at elevated genetic risk due to family history and are looking for lifestyle suggestions, possibly the most reliable advice we can offer today is that a healthy heart is related to a healthy brain."
The study also found that genetic factors appeared to determine when a person developed the condition. Two-thirds of adults aged 65 years and older with dementia have Alzheimer's. The number of cases is expected to rise with the growing older adult population.
Steve - the bold line says it all. The heart and the brain are integrally linked.
It is not a guarantee that the genes that contribute to Alzheimer's will express themselves. Many genes that create negative health effects need to be "switched on." If one can do the right things with diet and lifestyle, it has been shown that negative gene expression can be kept at bay.
No comments:
Post a Comment