Researchers from the University of Texas at San Antonio have identified a link between a set of obesity-related genes and the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. The study suggests a possible biological connection that may help explain why Alzheimer’s tends to be more common in older adults who were obese during middle age. The research was published in Alzheimer’s & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer’s Association, adding a new dimension to how scientists view dementia risk and aging.
In this large-scale analysis, scientists examined genetic data from a cohort of 5,619 individuals, focusing on 74 genes previously associated with Alzheimer’s disease. Among these, 21 genes showed altered activity in participants with obesity, being either underactive or overactive compared with non-obese peers. This pattern points to a potential molecular mechanism by which body weight in midlife could influence later brain health.
Further breakdown revealed that thirteen of the implicated genes correlated with body mass index while eight others linked to waist-to-hip ratio, a measure of fat distribution. Some of these gene associations appeared stronger in midlife obesity and were more pronounced in women than in men as people aged. Such findings align with earlier research that identified midlife obesity as a potential risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease in women, offering a possible explanation rooted in genetic and metabolic processes.
Another intriguing observation from the study is that individuals who eventually develop dementia frequently experience a weight decline approximately five to ten years before dementia onset. This pattern may reflect early brain changes or metabolic shifts associated with the disease and could influence how clinicians monitor and reduce dementia risk. The researchers interpret their results as a call to pay closer attention to weight management in middle age as part of a broader strategy to support brain health later in life.
Overall, the work underscores a growing understanding that obesity in midlife may contribute to alterations in gene activity related to Alzheimer’s disease. By mapping these genetic relationships, scientists hope to identify new avenues for prevention and intervention that can be applied across populations in North America, including Canada and the United States. The findings emphasize the importance of maintaining healthy weight and metabolic health as part of a long-term approach to reducing the likelihood of cognitive decline in later years. Attribution: University of Texas at San Antonio researchers, study published in Alzheimer’s & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer’s Association, 2024.