NOT JUST GENETIC: Young adults' brain health may predict Alzheimer's risk decades later, study shows
By ljdevon // 2025-04-23
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  • New research reveals that risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease can affect brain function in people as young as 24.
  • Higher cardiovascular risk scores and inflammatory markers were linked to lower cognitive performance in young adults.
  • The findings suggest that prevention strategies for Alzheimer’s should begin much earlier in life.
  • Chronic exposure to aluminum increases the risk of Alzheimer’s by 71%.
  • Phytochemicals found in fruits and vegetables - specifically alkaloids - can help combat neuroinflammation and protect against Alzheimer’s.
The notion that Alzheimer’s disease is a condition reserved for the elderly is being challenged by groundbreaking research. The choices made in young adulthood greatly impact brain health into old age. Scientists at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health and the Columbia Butler Aging Center have discovered that the same risk factors linked to dementia in older adults can affect brain function in people as young as 24. This revelation, published in The Lancet Regional Health – Americas, is a wake-up call for a generation that may have thought that Alzheimer's was just genetic and not of concern in their youth.https://x.com/MelGibsonNew/status/1911931991844356569

The study: following young adults through time

The research team, led by Dr. Allison E. Aiello, analyzed data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (Add Health), a study that has tracked thousands of participants since their teenage years in the mid-1990s. They assessed these individuals at ages 24-34 and again at 34-44, measuring various risk factors and testing their cognitive abilities. The cornerstone of the assessment was the CAIDE score, a risk assessment tool that combines measurements including age, education, sex, blood pressure, body weight, cholesterol, and physical activity. While originally developed to predict dementia risk in older adults, this study revealed that the CAIDE score already showed connections to brain function in young adults. Young adults with higher CAIDE scores performed worse on memory tests and cognitive challenges. Each single-point increase in CAIDE score was linked to measurable decreases in skills like holding and manipulating information in short-term memory. These differences, though subtle, mirror patterns seen in much older at-risk populations, indicating that cognitive processes linked to Alzheimer’s may begin much earlier than previously recognized.

Beyond heart health: inflammatory markers and brain proteins

The researchers delved deeper than just cardiovascular health, examining specific proteins and inflammatory molecules in participants’ blood. Total tau, a protein that accumulates in the brains of people with Alzheimer’s, was linked to worse immediate word recall in adults aged 34-44. Several inflammatory markers also showed connections to cognitive performance. Proteins involved in immune system communication were associated with poorer performance across multiple cognitive tests. Interestingly, these associations grew stronger as participants moved from their late 20s into their late 30s, indicating a progressive relationship as people age. Contrary to expectations, the APOE ε4 gene variant, the most well-known genetic risk factor for Alzheimer’s, showed no connection to cognitive function in these young adults. This outcome suggests that while genetics matter, lifestyle and cardiovascular health may exert stronger influences in early adulthood.

Re-evaluating Alzheimer’s as a lifelong process

The researchers emphasize that their findings are not meant to cause alarm among younger adults about a disease they likely won’t face for decades. Instead, the study suggests that the biological pathways leading to Alzheimer’s may be active much earlier than previously thought, providing a longer window for prevention. As Alzheimer’s cases are projected to nearly triple by 2050, these findings bring new urgency to early intervention. Current treatments mostly target older adults with existing symptoms, addressing brain damage that began decades earlier. For younger adults, the research points to concrete actions that might protect long-term brain health: managing blood pressure, maintaining a healthy weight, staying physically active, and continuing education. These factors appear to protect both heart and brain. The biological mechanisms that eventually lead to Alzheimer’s may be quietly developing for 50 years before symptoms appear, making early adulthood interventions potentially our best chance at reducing the devastating impact of this disease.

The role of environmental factors and phytochemicals

In addition to lifestyle choices, environmental factors play a significant role in the development of Alzheimer’s. A meta-analysis published in Neuroscience Letters found that chronic exposure to aluminum increases the risk of Alzheimer’s by 71%. This finding underscores the importance of reducing exposure to heavy metals and chemicals, which can have epigenetic effects on the brain. On a more hopeful note, phytochemicals found in fruits and vegetables can help combat neuroinflammation and protect against Alzheimer’s. These natural compounds, such as flavonoids and polyphenols, have been shown to reduce inflammation and support brain health. For instance, a 2021 study highlighted the neuroprotective properties of alkaloidal phytochemicals, which can mitigate the harmful effects of neuroinflammation, reducing Alzheimer's. The research from Columbia University and the meta-analysis on aluminum exposure paint a clear picture: Alzheimer’s is not a random genetic occurrence but a disease influenced by environmental and lifestyle factors that can be addressed early in life. By making informed choices about diet, exercise, and reducing toxic exposure, we can significantly reduce our risk of developing this debilitating condition. The brain is the organ most vulnerable to dietary neglect, and it’s never too early to start protecting it. As Dr. Aiello noted, "The biological processes that lead to Alzheimer’s may begin in our 20s, but the good news is that we have a much longer window for prevention than we previously thought." The future of brain health lies in our hands—and on our plates. Sources include: StudyFinds.org Pubmed.gov Pubmed.gov
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