Scientists to explore if obese fathers increase their child's risk of Alzheimer's

On World Alzheimer’s Day, a researcher has been awarded nearly £350,000 to look at the effects obese fathers have on their children and see if it increases the risk of developing Alzheimer’s later in life.

Alzheimer’s is the most common cause of dementia affecting around 600,000 people in the UK today. The changes in the brain that cause Alzheimer’s begin up to 20 years before symptoms show, and emerging research is showing lifestyle factors affect a person’s risk of developing the disease.

Previous research has shown obesity is a risk factor for dementia and Dr Cheryl Hawkes from Lancaster University has already looked at the effects of overweight mothers on children’s dementia risk. Now with this grant from Alzheimer’s Research UK, she will continue this research looking at obesity in fathers.

'Children born to obese fathers have lower IQ and poorer memory'

Dr Hawkes said: “I am thrilled to have received this funding towards my research looking deeper into what makes up our risk of developing dementia. I will look at people’s memory and thinking skills, brain structures and biological markers of Alzheimer’s disease to see if there are differences in people whose fathers were classified as overweight.

“Harmful changes are present in the brain for decades before the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease appear. It is now widely recognised that parental health at conception and during pregnancy is a key driver of long-term health.

“Emerging evidence suggests children born to obese fathers have lower IQ and poorer memory compared to children of lean fathers.”

The project will use data collected from three generations of participants in the Framingham Heart Study to compare memory, thinking skills as well as brain structure and markers of Alzheimer’s Disease in the adult children and grandchildren of obese and lean men.

The Framingham Heart Study began in 1948 in the city of Framingham in the US, looking at cardiovascular health in the local residents. Results from the study have informed current knowledge on the effects of diet, exercise and medicines such as aspirin on heart disease.

Dr Hawkes and her team will use the data to look at dementia risk in participants whose fathers were overweight at the time they were conceived.

“Recent research has implicated parental health as a potentially important factor that can influence brain health throughout our lives,” says Dr Hawkes.

“My research will shed light on the effects of parental diet and weight on children’s risk of developing dementia and has the potential to inform future public health messaging.”

'What is good for our heart health is also good for our brain health'

With up to 40 per cent of all dementia cases being linked to factors within a person’s lifestyle, it is important for researchers to unpick these risk factors to inform the public on how to improve healthy eating and exercise.

Dr Sara Imarisio, head of research at Alzheimer’s Research UK said: “Around 1,200 people are living with dementia in Lancaster alone, and research has the power to stop this figure rising year after year.

“What is good for our heart health is also good for our brain health, so Alzheimer’s Research UK encourage people to stay active, socially connected and involved in activities and hobbies that they enjoy. It is also important to maintain a healthy balanced lifestyle."