A new local study shows even health decisions made early in your life may impact your risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.Researchers at Boston University School of Medicine examined health data from patients as young as 35. They found people who struggled with cholesterol levels and prediabetic glucose levels — even at that age — were at a higher risk for developing Alzheimer’s disease later in life.Researchers said they were surprised by what they found. “We expected it to be detectable earlier than age 60 to 70. But going back as far as age 35. And that’s as far back as we could realistically go,” said Dr. Lindsay Farrer, BUSM chief of Biomedical Genetics.The data came from participants in the Framingham Heart Study, which Farrer said has made so many health discoveries possible. The study has tracked thousands of men and women throughout their lives and through several generations starting in 1948. The study was the first to identify major risk factors that contribute to heart disease.
A new local study shows even health decisions made early in your life may impact your risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.
Researchers at Boston University School of Medicine examined health data from patients as young as 35. They found people who struggled with cholesterol levels and prediabetic glucose levels — even at that age — were at a higher risk for developing Alzheimer’s disease later in life.
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Researchers said they were surprised by what they found.
“We expected it to be detectable earlier than age 60 to 70. But going back as far as age 35. And that’s as far back as we could realistically go,” said Dr. Lindsay Farrer, BUSM chief of Biomedical Genetics.
The data came from participants in the Framingham Heart Study, which Farrer said has made so many health discoveries possible.
The study has tracked thousands of men and women throughout their lives and through several generations starting in 1948.
The study was the first to identify major risk factors that contribute to heart disease.