Sudden weight loss in old age may predict Alzheimer’s disease in women based on a shared genetic factor which could be noted in diagnostic methods. A study from the SUNY Downstate Medical Center published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease details how analysis of elderly women carrying the gene APOEe4 were notable for losing weight quickly past the age of 70, which seemed to predict the onset of Alzheimer’s disease in most cases. “In this study, we followed Swedish women for almost 40 years from mid-life ages of 38-60 years. We tracked their BMI in relation to dementia onset, and considered the potential role of the APOEe4 allele, a known risk factor for late-onset dementia.” She adds, “In a previous publication, we showed that development of dementia is associated with specific pattern of BMI change over the life course. Women who developed dementia after age 65 tended to gain BMI at a slower rate during middle age.” To learn more about this study, click here.
