Unsaturated Fatty Acids In Brain Linked To Alzheimer’s In Recent Study

As anyone with a friend, family member, or loved one affected by Alzheimer’s knows, one of the hardest parts of dealing with the disease is accepting that we still don’t know much about it.

Despite many advances in medical technology and research (many of which we talk about every month in our newsletter!), there is still no scientific consensus on which factors have the biggest impact on a person’s chances of developing Alzheimer’s.

However, it’s been estimated that only around 5% of the population are genetically predisposed toward developing the disease – most scientists agree that the disease is usually caused by some combination of lifestyle, genetic, and environmental factors, all of which can have a negative effect on the brain over time.

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Autoimmune Diseases Increase The Risk Factors Of Developing Dementia And Alzheimer’s, English Study Reports

A recent study that analyzed 1.8 million hospital cases in England has revealed a surprising result. The study has shown that autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis, lupus, and even psoriasis can lead to an increased risk of developing dementia – and a slightly increased risk of developing Alzheimer’s.

This study backs up a previous study performed at Ireland-based Trinity College – the study found that “lifestyle diseases” such as diabetes and obesity could cause chronic inflammation of the brain. Obesity and diabetes can cause damage to blood vessels, as well as a build-up of two proteins that can cause the brain to become inflamed, causing damage to neurons and brain tissue.

Stay Ahead Of The Disease – New Genetic “Scoring System” Helps Predict The Onset Of Alzheimer’s And Dementia

A new genetic test has been developed that could help predict if – or when – you’ll get dementia. A team of scientists and researchers at the University of California has created a comprehensive system that can give individuals “risk scores” that chart their risks of developing Alzheimer’s and dementia later in life.

This scoring system uses genetic risk factors for the disease and family history of dementia and Alzheimer's to develop a specialized  “fingerprint” called a PHS or “polygenic hazard score”. This score is then combined with statistical data of incidence rates among specific population groups, providing a comprehensive assessment of an individual’s risk factors.