Published on
Updated
Reading 1 min.
A recent American study reveals that people with genes predisposing to high blood pressure and high levels of HDL cholesterol (the good cholesterol) would have a higher risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease during their lifetime.
According to a study published in the journal JAMA Network Open, people who have a genetic tendency for high blood pressure and high HDL cholesterol levels have an increased risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.
No direct causal link
To reach this conclusion, the researchers analyzed the DNA of more than 39,000 people with Alzheimer’s disease and that of more than 400,000 people without Alzheimer’s disease (control participants).
The study does not show a causal link between the appearance of the disease and the presence of these two risk factors. The authors of these works simply underline the association of these three elements.
Towards new treatments to prevent the disease?
The increase in Alzheimer’s risk was about 10% for each standard deviation increase in HDL cholesterol. And for every 10 millimeters of mercury (mmHg) increase in blood pressure, the risk of Alzheimer’s was increased by 22%. For the authors of this study, this discovery could pave the way for the development of new treatments to treat but also prevent Alzheimer’s disease.
The causes of the onset of Alzheimer’s disease are not yet well understood to this day. It could be triggered by genetic and environmental factors combined with age-related brain changes. There is no cure for Alzheimer’s disease. Current treatments only slow the progression of the disease.