Certain cancers, arthritis, gastric disorders and even high cholesterol are associated with a lower risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.
- Certain illnesses, such as anxiety, are associated with an increased risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.
- Others, such as certain cancers or high cholesterol, are linked to a reduction in this risk.
- The reasons for these associations are not fully understood by researchers.
What are the links between Alzheimer’s disease and other pathologies? Australian researchers from the University of Melbourne answer this question in a study published on the website of theAlzheimer’s Association. According to their findings, certain health conditions appear to increase the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease while others reduce it.
Alzheimer’s disease: increased or reduced risk depending on the pathology
Their work is based on the analysis of data from more than 2,400 Australians who participated in the Australian Imaging, Biomarker and Lifestyle (AIBL) study, a large, internationally recognized cohort for dementia research. The researchers aimed to observe possible links between certain comorbidities and Alzheimer’s-related dementia. “A variety of associations were observed”, they note. They found that anxiety and certain neurological disorders are associated with a higher risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. “People with anxiety and neurological disorders are 1.5 to 2.5 times more likely to suffer from Alzheimer’s disease., they specify. Men with anxiety are more likely than anxious women to develop Alzheimer’s disease. “Arthritis, cancer, stomach disorders, high cholesterol, joint replacements, visual defects, kidney and liver diseases were associated with a lower risk of Alzheimer’s disease.they add.
How can we explain the links between Alzheimer’s and other pathologies?
For Dr. Yijun Pan, co-director of the study, the factors that explain these links are complex. This varies for each pathology. For example, he points out that previous research has demonstrated that the p53 protein is associated with neuron death in Alzheimer’s disease. However, in the case of cancer, this protein loses its function,”providing a possible explanation for the link between the two conditions”, estimates the researcher. “We need further research to understand whether these diseases interfere with the progression of Alzheimer’s disease or whether there could be other reasons, he warns. Medications or treatments used for these conditions could potentially contribute to this observation.”