Alzheimer's Disease Genetics: You're More Likely to Get it from Mom

Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause of dementia - and one of the most challenging diseases a person and their family must face. Researchers already know that people who have close family members, particularly a mother, father, sister or brother with this progressive brain disease are more likely to get it themselves, but environmental factors play a role too.

Alzheimer's Disease Genetics: You're More Likely to Get It From Your Mom

According to a study published in the journal Neurology, you're more likely to "get" Alzheimer's disease from your mother rather as opposed to your father.

How did researchers reach this conclusion? After following 53 healthy seniors for two years while doing cognitive testing and brain imaging, they found that seniors who had a mother with the disease had more brain shrinkage over the 2 year period than those who had a father with Alzheimer's dementia. So mom may have more influence over your Alzheimer's disease risk than good, old dad, at least according to this study.

The Most Common Cause of Dementia Isn't Completely Understood

This is not to say you're destined to get the disease if your mother had it, because lifestyle has an impact on Alzheimer's disease genetics too. There is a form of the disease called early-onset Alzheimer's disease that's strongly inherited. People who inherit the gene for this more aggressive form of the disease develop Alzheimer's dementia much earlier in life, usually before the age of 60 - and sometimes as young as age 30. Sadly, most people with the gene will eventually get the disease.

Most cases of Alzheimer's disease are of the late-onset type. This type of Alzheimer's dementia has been linked with a gene on chromosome 19 called the apolipoprotein E gene. People with this gene don't necessarily develop Alzheimer's disease. There is a blood test to detect it although having the gene doesn't tell you whether you'll get Alzheimer's disease - only that you're at higher risk.

The Bottom Line?

As you can see, Alzheimer's disease genetics aren't completely understood, and this new piece of the puzzle makes the issue even more complex. But even if you have a mother who has late-onset Alzheimer's disease, it doesn't necessarily mean you'll get it too. But to reduce your risk, lose weight if you're obese, stop smoking and get aerobic exercise daily. Keep your mind active and develop a strong social network. These small lifestyle changes may help ward off this all-too-common brain disease.

References:

Eurekalert.org. "More Evidence That Alzheimer's Disease May Be Inherited From Your Mother"

National Institute for Aging. "Alzheimer's Fact Sheet"

Merck Manual. Eighteenth edition. 2006.