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Risk Rises if 2 Parents Have Alzheimer's

4 in 10 get the disease if mom and dad had it, study finds

By Zach Samalin,  Newser Staff

Posted Mar 10, 2008 8:42 PM CDT
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(Newser) – People whose mom and dad have Alzheimer's run a much higher risk of getting the disease, a new study finds. Researchers at the University of Washington in Seattle looked at 111 families in which both parents have Alzheimer's, and found that 42% of those aged 70 and up got the disease. Only one in 10 develop it in the general population, Reuters reports.

People usually develop Alzheimer's after turning 65, but only a third of those studied had reached 70. "The numbers will be interesting to follow as they get older and older," one researcher said. "I think it confirms that there's a strong genetic component in the disease and that's not a surprise."

Jackie Lustig, 52, left, comforts her mother Jeannette Zeltzer, 81, who suffers from Alzheimer's. A new study finds people with two parents suffering from Alzheimer's run a higher risk of developing the disease themselves.
Jackie Lustig, 52, left, comforts her mother Jeannette Zeltzer, 81, who suffers from Alzheimer's. A new study finds people with two parents suffering from Alzheimer's run a higher risk of developing the...   (Associated Press)
Jackie Lustig, 52, guides her mother Jeannette Zeltzer, 81, who suffers from Alzheimer's, down the hall at the assisted living facility where Zeltzer lives on Saturday, March 8, 2008 in Newton, Mass. A new study finds people with two parents suffering from Alzheimer's run a higher risk of developing the...
Jackie Lustig, 52, guides her mother Jeannette Zeltzer, 81, who suffers from Alzheimer's, down the hall at the assisted living facility where Zeltzer lives on Saturday, March 8, 2008 in Newton, Mass....   (Associated Press)
Jeannette Zeltzer, 81 and her new boyfriend Max Rakov, 92, hold hands while sitting on a couch at the assisted living facility where they live on Saturday, March 8, 2008 in Newton, Mass. Zeltzer recently lost her husband and now spends time holding hands with Rakov who also suffers from...
Jeannette Zeltzer, 81 and her new boyfriend Max Rakov, 92, hold hands while sitting on a couch at the assisted living facility where they live on Saturday, March 8, 2008 in Newton, Mass. Zeltzer recently...   (Associated Press)
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Two parents with Alzheimer's quadruples risk
Associated Press

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dementia • genetics • parents • medical research • scientific study • health risks • Alzheimer's Disease

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