Alzheimer’s disease risk is lower in people with high levels of the appetite hormone leptin according to research conducted at Boston University School of Medicine.
Alzheimer’s disease developed in 25 percent of patients with the lowest levels of leptin, compared to 6 percent in study participants with the highest levels of the appetite hormone. These findings build on previous studies showing that Alzheimer’s disease risk increased in people who were overweight and obese.
In conducting this study on the effects of leptin on Alzheimer’s disease risk, Dr. Sudha Seshadri and her colleagues gave regular brain scans to 198 volunteers with an average age of 79. During the follow-up years, 111 patients developed dementia, including 89 who were diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease.
It was evident in the study that leptin levels were also associated with a greater decrease in total brain size which may have attributed to the increased Alzheimer’s disease risk.
The study authors concluded “If our findings our confirmed by others, leptin levels in older adults may serve as one of several possible bio markers for healthy brain aging and, more importantly, may open new pathways for possible preventive and therapeutic intervention.”
This research may lead to better understanding on the risks associated with Alzheimer’s disease and provide insight into the prevention of Alzheimer’s and related dementias.
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