Dementia is a mental disorder due to brain injury or brain disease. In the latter case, it develops gradually, although there may also be step changes. Primary symptoms include impaired reasoning, memory disorders, and personality changes. Until quite recently there were no signs of a causal connection with COVID-19. However, ground breaking research suggests a possible genetic link between Dementia and COVID.
What We Know about the Genetic Link between Dementia and COVID
We had assumed people with dementia were more likely to catch the infection because they forgot to take precautions. And that they failed to recognize the symptoms because of impaired reasoning. However, new research at University of Connecticut School of Medicine, and University of Exeter Medical School casts a fresh light.
That’s because 1 out of every 36 people of European ancestry carries faulty copies of the APOE gene. This gene plays a role in packaging cholesterol and other fats, and carrying them through the blood stream. The APOE gene mutation increases heart disease risk, and the chance of developing Alzheimers up to 14-fold.
This New Research Has Revealed a Link to COVID-19 Too
This new research has discovered a genetic link between Dementia and COVID in that the faulty gene doubles the risk of serious disease. Moreover, and this is significant, even if the comorbid risk factors have not developed.
Co-author of the research report Dr Chia-Ling Kuo, of UConn School of Medicine sees possibilities stemming from this. This is especially the possibility that disease-risks with aging are actually down to a particular biological difference.
The need to take especial care of seniors with Alzheimers and other forms of Dementia is thus even more important. That’s because their COVID-19 may stem from an underlying genetic change, as opposed to advancing age and frailty.
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Preview Image: Prevalence of Alzheimers
