Alzheimer’s: Is the disease more important in mothers or fathers?

For this study, researchers analyzed data from approximately 4,400 participants between the ages of 65 and 85. Anti-Amyloid Therapy in Asymptomatic Alzheimer’s Disease (A4) Alzheimer’s disease prevention research.

Participants were asked whether their biological parents had experienced loss of consciousness over time, as well as whether they had received official Alzheimer’s disease.

Researchers also found PET scans to measure the amount of a protein called beta-amyloid in their brains.

“Amyloid-beta accumulation is thought to be the first symptom of Alzheimer’s disease that occurs at an early stage (early symptoms),” Hyun-Sik Yang, MD, associate neurologist at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, assistant professor of neurology at Harvard Medical School, and the author of this study said Medical News Today.

“Our researchers all had normal cognition, but some had a lot of amyloid accumulation. The first stage of Alzheimer’s disease represents a unique window for early intervention. Therefore, we focus on amyloid-beta rather than other later stages or symptoms,” he told us. .

At the end of the study, Yang and his team found that participants with a history of mental illness were subjects of all ages and had a paternal history of dementia before the age of 65. linked to high levels of beta-amyloid in the brain.

“Maternal history of any age of onset and paternal history of early onset dementia were associated with increased risk, but paternal history of late onset was not,” the study said. said Yang MNT. However, he added:

“Our study suggests that maternal and paternal histories of depression may differ in their impact on the disease. Alzheimer’s children. In addition, our study highlights the importance of collecting family histories for all parents and their early years.”

“In common genetic diseases, we expect genes from the father and the mother to have the same effect on the offspring,” he said.

“However, in this case, we observed an inconsistency suggesting that information from the mother may have a strong effect on the risk of Alzheimer’s disease,” said a Yang.

“This order of maternal inheritance was observed in mitochondrial dysfunctionso we speculate whether mitochondrial inheritance can play a role in Alzheimer’s disease,” said the researcher.

The dysfunction of the mitochondria – the so-called cellular powerhouses – was previously associated with the symptoms of dementia, so it is possible to get more information about this relationship.

“Other explanations include the genomic model – genetic changes in DNA on the mother’s or father’s side – that may affect the offspring’s risk of Alzheimer’s disease,” Yang said. to us.

The different life goals for men and women may have influenced the results of the study, however, according to the author: “[I]in our study population – 65+ years old – parents, most of the boys (husbands) may not have lived long enough to develop the disease. It may have affected our results as well. ”

After reviewing this research, Karen D. Sullivan, PhD, ABPP, a board-certified neuropsychologist, owner of I CARE FOR YOUR BRAIN, and Reid Healthcare Transformation Fellow at FirstHealth of the Carolinas in Pinehurst, NC, e not involved in this investigation, said. MNT this study is an important contribution to the understanding of the deterioration of Alzheimer’s disease.

“Using a very impressive sample of 4,000, they showed that the late onset history of men does not increase (the) risk for Alzheimer’s disease but the early history of father and mother’s history at any age are associated with a higher risk of amyloidosis, Sullivan said.

“These results show a genetic inheritance of Alzheimer’s disease that begins before memory loss is recognized. This study has practical implications for risk stratification and who we need to target for early detection, pre-clinical testing and advanced neuroimaging,” he said.

“We’ve known for some time that the cure for Alzheimer’s disease will be years, if not decades, before the onset of the clinical symptoms of cognitive loss, difficulty finding words, and happy,” Sullivan said.

“These data point us to a human-based evidence that we need to look closely at. Sex chromosomes is a new special study in Alzheimer’s disease and we need to look at this area. long to see their special ways,” he explained further.

MNT also spoke with Jasdeep S. Hundal, PsyD, ABPP-CN, assistant professor of psychiatry and neurology at Hackensack Meridian Health School of Medicine and director of the Center for Memory & Healthy Aging at Hackensack Meridian Jersey Shore University Medical Center in New Jersey, about this study. Hundal was also not involved in this investigation.

He said that this study emphasizes the complexity of genetics that can play a role in Alzheimer’s disease, especially clarifying the effect of maternal inheritance on the accumulation of amyloid, which is a key. biomarker for Alzheimer’s disease.

“This is very interesting because it reinforces the importance of family history in the study of the risk of Alzheimer’s, but also shows the need for more methods of prevention and early detection. The fact that a mother’s history has a different effect compared to a father’s history can lead to something more personal and useful. In addition, the emphasis of the study on expanding the research to include many different people is important for a complete understanding of the disease.

– Jasdeep S. Hundal, PsyD, ABPP-CN

According to Hundal, there are many reasons why researchers need to continue studying how a person develops Alzheimer’s disease. , including identifying people at higher risk early in life, creating personalized care plans, and finding new drugs and other medical treatments.

“Continued research on the genetics and familial aspects of Alzheimer’s disease is important for the development of early detection, specific treatment, and prevention strategies, ultimately improving the outcome of the disease and reducing the public burden the disease,” he added.