Kyushu_University, RIKEN study dementia

A new study led by Kyushu University and Riken, published in Alzheimer's & Dementia: Diagnosis, Assessment & Disease Monitoring, investigates the interplay between genetic makeup and lifestyle factors in determining dementia risk. Analyzing data from 9,605 Japanese adults aged 65 and older, the research focused on the APOE ε4 genotype, a primary genetic risk factor for Alzheimer s disease. The study found that while dementia risk increased with the number of APOE ε4 alleles, maintaining a healthier lifestyle significantly reduced risk for individuals with one or no APOE ε4 alleles. However, for those carrying two APOE ε4 alleles, lifestyle changes did not significantly alter dementia risk, suggesting a need for earlier intervention and new preventive or therapeutic approaches beyond lifestyle management. Professor Toshiharu Ninomiya, who led the study, emphasized the importance of population-based prevention strategies and personalized medicine.