Health
Alzheimer’s on mother’s side of the family could increase disease risk, study finds
Having a mother with Alzheimer’s could lead to a higher risk of inherited disease than a paternal history.
That’s according to a recent study from Mass General Brigham. Researchers analyzed 4,400 adults between ages 65 and 85 who did not have any signs of cognitive decline, but did have amyloid show up in brain-imaging scans.
The people with the higher amounts of amyloid were more likely to have mothers with symptoms of Alzheimer’s — primarily memory loss, the researchers found.
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Amyloid, a protein that builds up in the brain and forms plaques that affect cognitive function, is one of the hallmarks of Alzheimer’s disease (AD).
The findings were published in JAMA Neurology in June.
Having a mother with Alzheimer’s could lead to a higher risk of inherited disease than a paternal history, a new study has found. (iStock)
“Our study showed a striking asymmetry in the impact of maternal versus paternal history of dementia on the risk of offsprings’ brain amyloid-beta protein accumulation, with maternal history having a greater impact,” senior corresponding author Hyun-Sik Yang, M.D., a neurologist at Mass General Brigham, told Fox News Digital via email.
“In our study, maternal history of dementia increased their children’s risk of having preclinical AD, while paternal history had less impact.”
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The researchers — a collaborative team from Mass General Brigham, Vanderbilt and Stanford — expected to see similar genetic risks to be passed down by mothers and fathers, Yang noted.
“Our results suggest otherwise, raising intriguing questions about AD genetics and how AD risk is inherited,” he said.
“In our study, maternal history of dementia increased their children’s risk of having preclinical AD, while paternal history had less impact,” a researcher said. (iStock)
The participants in the study had what is referred to as “preclinical Alzheimer’s disease,” Yang noted, which occurs when there is amyloid buildup but no symptoms.
“This stage might represent a unique opportunity to treat AD before it irreversibly destroys the brain,” he said.
The researchers also found a correlation between amyloid buildup and a history of Alzheimer’s on both sides of the family, as well as fathers with early-onset dementia.
“It’s interesting from a genetic perspective to see one sex contributing something the other sex isn’t.”
“If your father had early onset symptoms, that is associated with elevated levels in the offspring,” said Mabel Seto, PhD, first author and a postdoctoral research fellow in the Department of Neurology at the Brigham, in a press release.
“However, it doesn’t matter when your mother started developing symptoms — if she did at all, it’s associated with elevated amyloid.”
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Women are nearly twice as likely to develop Alzheimer’s than men, according to data from the Alzheimer’s Society.
“It’s really interesting from a genetic perspective to see one sex contributing something the other sex isn’t,” Seto said.
Limitations of the study
Courtney Kloske, PhD, director of scientific engagement at the Alzheimer’s Association in Chicago, Illinois, was not involved in the study but shared her insights on the findings.
“This study sheds light on the interplay between genetics and cognition in individuals with a family history of cognitive decline,” Kloske told Fox News Digital in an email.
A protein called amyloid that builds up in the brain and forms plaques — affecting cognitive function — is one of the hallmarks of Alzheimer’s disease. (iStock)
The expert did point out some limitations in the study, which the researchers also acknowledged.
“The authors mention that their findings should be interpreted cautiously,” she said.
One key limitation was that the study participants self-reported their family history, which could introduce some degree of bias or inaccuracy.
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“Additionally, the generally longer lifespan of women compared to men may contribute to the higher observed prevalence of cognitive impairment among women,” Kloske added.
Yang also spoke to this limitation, adding that the study participants were older adults and that the average life expectancy was shorter in their parents’ generation, especially for males.
While having elevated amyloid levels significantly increases the risk of someone eventually having dementia, more research is needed to determine the full impact of family history on the course of Alzheimer’s disease. (AP Newsroom)
“That might have made it even more challenging to assess the actual risk of dementia in their fathers, as they might have passed away before getting to the age when dementia becomes more prevalent,” he said.
Another consideration, according to Kloske, is that the parents in the current study lived in a “different, earlier era” when women were less likely to be in the workforce and had lower levels of education.
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“These trends limit the generalizability of these results,” she said.
Yang also reiterated that none of the study participants had dementia — “we asked about their family history and matched them with the amyloid PET scan results.”
While having elevated amyloid levels significantly increases the risk of someone eventually having dementia, Yang noted, more research is needed to determine the full impact of family history on the course of Alzheimer’s disease.
Women are nearly twice as likely to develop Alzheimer’s than men, according to data from the Alzheimer’s Society. (iStock)
“We think it is important for doctors evaluating dementia patients to gather detailed family history information, including the history of both parents and their age at onset if there was a memory loss or dementia history,” he said.
It is also important to seek out ways to decrease the risk, especially if someone has a family history, according to the researcher.
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“Lifestyle and environmental factors are thought to play a significant role in dementia risk,” Yang said.
“I always tell my patients to focus on a healthy lifestyle, such as a heart-healthy diet, regular physical activity, and a socially and intellectually active lifestyle.”
Super-processed, packaged foods have become prevalent in U.S. diets — and experts are warning of the potential effects.
Recent research has shown that 60% of Americans’ daily caloric intake comes from ultra-processed foods (UPFs).
A study published by the BMJ revealed that exposure to UPFs was associated with 32 poor health outcomes, including mental, respiratory, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal and metabolic complications.
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Some of the linked conditions include cancer, heart disease, metabolic syndrome, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and type 2 diabetes.
While America’s diet is 60% ultra-processed overall, registered dietitian nutritionist Ilana Muhlstein warned that consumption among American kids is even higher than that.
Nutritionist Ilana Muhlstein says that more than 70% of American kids’ diets consist of processed foods. (iStock)
“With children, it’s actually over 70%,” the Los Angeles-based expert told Fox News Digital. “That is really wild when you think about it.”
“What we eat defines how our cells work, how our organs work, and we’re seeing a strong decline in mental health and well-being.”
Muhlstein explained that people are not consuming the vitamins, minerals or healthy fat sources as previous generations.
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Instead, today’s kids are ingesting “plenty of fat” that comes from ultra-processed seed oils, fried foods and sugary foods, she said.
“We’re actually seeing that this next generation might be the first generation to … have a shorter lifespan than their parents due to nutrition and lifestyle factors,” Muhlstein said.
Studies have shown that consuming ultra-processed foods is associated with 32 poor health outcomes. (iStock)
Studies have shown that providing children with a nutritious diet improves their mental well-being, behavior and academic achievement, noted Muhlstein, who teaches a kids’ nutrition course called “Raising Balanced Eaters.”
The goal isn’t necessarily to get to 0% ultra-processed foods, Muhlstein noted, as that would likely be unrealistic.
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“But right now, if we’re seeing that kids are eating about 70% ultra-processed foods and only 30% of their calories are coming from whole foods, the goal would be to reverse that.”
The nutritionist encouraged parents to follow the “80/20 rule” when feeding their kids, which would include 80% of whole foods like eggs, fish, meat, fruits and vegetables, and 20% of not-so-nutritious foods like chips, cookies and ice cream.
Healthier alternatives for kids
Muhlstein listed a few alternatives for ultra-processed foods that are popular with kids.
This includes using marinara sauce instead of ketchup on foods like chicken nuggets and French fries.
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“[Marinara] has fewer ingredients [and is] much lower in sugar,” she said. “You actually see chunks of tomato, some basil, maybe it’s made with some olive oil or another healthy oil and some salt.”
Substituting ketchup with marinara sauce is a simple way to transition kids away from an ultra-processed diet. (iStock)
“It’s still creamy, it’s still red, it’s still tasty, and it’s one step closer to less processing.”
For popular processed foods like chicken nuggets, which have been “all blended up and mechanically separated,” Muhlstein suggested switching to chicken strips and gradually moving toward baked rather than fried.
Even at a barbecue, the expert recommended the simple, healthier decision of choosing a hamburger over a hot dog.
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“Hot dogs are usually made with nitrites and nitrates,” she cautioned. “We actually have incredible research to show that they increase the risk of certain cancers.”
“When you can go from a hot dog to a hamburger, that’s usually just ground beef … with some seasoning,” the expert went on. “It’s already a nice step in the right direction of less processing overall.”
When feeding kids, a hamburger is a healthier choice than a hot dog, the nutritionist said. (iStock)
Muhlstein encouraged parents to take these transitions “one step at a time” and to “be really joyful” about the experience to boost their child’s attitude.
Failing to address a child’s eating habits and assuming they might “grow out of it” could cause long-term consequences, she warned.
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“If you’re not exposing your kids to flavors and textures beyond chicken nuggets, sugary yogurts, French fries, hot dogs and pizza, it’s very unlikely that they are going to establish a better palate and a healthier relationship with food moving forward.”
The nutritionist encouraged parents to follow the “80/20 rule” — 80% of whole foods like eggs, fish, meat, fruits and vegetables, and 20% of processed foods like chips, cookies and ice cream. (iStock)
The expert recommended sitting down for family meals, noting that it’s one of the most “well-researched” ways to reduce eating disorders.
This includes turning off the TV and electronics during dinner, she said, as studies show TV-watching during meals leads to higher consumption of UPFs.
“Only three to five family meals a week can lower a person’s risk for eating disorders,” she said. “It’s [proven] to bring a healthy, positive relationship around food, especially if you can make the conversations lighthearted … keep it somewhat positive.”
“It’s a great way for the family to connect, for the kids to see their parents eat a wholesome meal, and for everyone to return to more meals and less mindless snacking.”
Sleep is known to have amazing health benefits – but how much shuteye is too much?
The answer isn’t so straightforward, Dr. Chris Winter, a Virginia-based neurologist and sleep medicine specialist with Mattress Firm, told Fox News Digital.
“This is to some degree an impossible question to answer,” he wrote.
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As with food and other lifestyle factors, Winter explained that the ideal amount of sleep is a “dynamic range.”
Sleep durations exceeding 11 to 12 hours might prompt concern, the expert said. (iStock)
“What is too much food for me might be an amazingly inadequate amount for an Olympic swimmer,” he said as an example.
For the average adult, sleep durations exceeding 11 to 12 hours would be considered “too much” and would start “prompting questions about sleep quality and sleep consistency,” Winter said.
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While getting too little sleep can cause many negative effects, an excess of slumber can pose risks like sleep inertia, which is the feeling of grogginess that occurs after sleeping in for too long.
The sleep specialist recommended catching up on sleep when there’s been a deficit. (iStock )
“For many individuals, it’s less about ‘too much sleep’ and more about compensatory sleep,” he said.
“In other words, you got inadequate sleep during the week and are trying to ‘make up’ for the lost sleep on the weekend.”
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Sleeping too much on a regular basis is more a reflection of “inadequate sleep quality” overall, Winter said.
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Even so, the expert recommends catching up on sleep when there’s been a deficit.
“Studies have shown that if you pay that sleep debt back quickly, it probably keeps the deficit from impacting your health,” he said.
Sleeping too much on a regular basis is more a reflection of “inadequate sleep quality” overall, the sleep doctor said. (iStock)
“While it should never be Plan A, making up lost sleep via napping or sleeping in, when possible, can be a good fallback plan.”
Although some studies have suggested negative health outcomes from both inadequate and excessive sleep, Winter emphasized that it’s better to get too much sleep than not enough.
“Trying to create consistency in sleep is important, too,” he said.
“Sleeping a different seven hours every night is not nearly as healthy as sticking to the same seven hours night after night.”
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that adults get between seven and nine hours of sleep per night.
Breast cancer diagnoses are spiking among younger women, a new report reveals. (iStock)
Fox News’ Health newsletter brings you stories on the latest developments in health care, wellness, diseases, mental health and more.
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