An Australian study has discovered that men carrying two copies of a common gene variant are more than twice as likely to develop dementia, while women with the same genetic makeup are unaffected.
Researchers from Curtin University analyzed data from over 19,000 participants in the ASPREE trial, a major international study focusing on healthy aging. They focused on variants of the haemochromatosis (HFE) gene, which plays a crucial role in regulating iron levels in the body.
While about one in three people carry a single copy of the H63D variant without any health impact, only one in 36 individuals carries two copies of this variant. The study, published in the journal Neurology, found that men with two copies of the H63D variant had a significantly increased risk of developing dementia. Interestingly, this heightened risk was not observed in women.
Professor John Olynyk from Curtin University explained, “Having just one copy of this gene variant doesn’t affect health or increase dementia risk. However, having two copies more than doubles the risk in men, but not in women.”
This discovery underscores the need for more targeted dementia prevention strategies, especially among men. Understanding why this genetic variant increases dementia risk in males could lead to more personalized and effective treatments and early interventions.
“Although we can’t change the genetic variant itself, if we understand the brain pathways it affects, we might be able to develop treatments to prevent the damage that leads to dementia,” Olynyk added.
According to the study, over 400,000 Australians currently live with dementia, with men making up a third of this population.
This collaborative research brings hope for future advancements in dementia prevention and highlights the importance of genetic factors in disease risk.
