A recent genome study conducted by scientists at the University of Texas Health Center at San Antonio has shed light on the risk factors and causes of dementia. Dr. Bernard Fongang from the Glenn Biggs Institute for Alzheimer’s and Neurodegenerative Diseases revealed that there is a significant genetic overlap between dementia diagnoses of any cause and those related to vascular issues.
The study, which analyzed data from 800,597 individuals in the U.S. and Europe, found that Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia are the most significant contributors to dementia. Vascular dementia is often linked to strokes and blood vessel problems in the brain, with risk factors including hypertension and diabetes.
Furthermore, the researchers discovered an overlap between Alzheimer’s disease of any cause with neurodegeneration and cerebral small vessel disease. This new insight not only expands our understanding of dementia genetics but also highlights the importance of vascular mechanisms in the development of dementia.
Dr. Fongang emphasized the need to consider both all-cause dementia and vascular dementia in genetic studies to uncover additional genetic variants and biological pathways associated with these conditions. This study paves the way for further research into the complex interplay of genetic factors in different types of dementia.
