Dementia Risk: Gene Variant & Men’s Health
Genetic Variant Linked to Increased Dementia Risk in Men
Men carrying a specific genetic variant are twice as likely to develop dementia compared to women, according to new research published in Neurology. The study, utilizing data from the ASPREE trial, explored the connection between variants in the haemochromatosis (HFE) gene and dementia risk. The HFE gene plays a critical role in regulating iron levels within the body.
John Olynyk, a professor at Curtin Medical School and study co-author, noted that one in three people carry one copy of the H63D variant, while one in 36 possess two copies. While a single copy does not elevate dementia risk, men with two copies of the variant experienced a doubled risk. This increased risk was not observed in women.
The research highlights the potential for targeted treatments. “While the genetic variant itself cannot be changed, the brain pathways which it affects — leading to the damage that causes dementia – could perhaps be treated if we understood more about it,” Olynyk said.
Further studies are needed to understand why this genetic variant affects men and women differently. Olynyk suggested that HFE gene testing, already common for haemochromatosis assessment, could be offered more broadly to men. The study found no direct correlation between blood iron levels and increased dementia risk, suggesting other mechanisms, possibly involving inflammation and cell damage, are at play.
Paul Lacaze, a co-author from Monash University, emphasized the potential for improved outcomes. ”More than 400,000 Australians are currently living with dementia, with around a third of those being men. Understanding why men with the double H63D variant are at higher risk could pave the way for more personalised approaches to prevention and treatment,” Lacaze said.
“Having just one copy of this gene variant does not impact someone’s health or increase their risk of dementia.However, having two copies of the variant more than doubled the risk of dementia in men, but not women,” Professor Olynyk said.
What’s next
researchers plan to investigate the specific mechanisms by which the HFE gene variant increases dementia risk in men, paving the way for targeted interventions and personalized treatment strategies for dementia prevention.