According to one study, the risk of Alzheimer's is higher if a grandparent or a cousin has the disease.

Having a grandparent or even a cousin with Alzheimer's disease can increase your risk of getting it.

Many people who have lost a parent of dementia have persistent fear of having inherited the disease. But a study now suggests that lesser relatives with Alzheimer's disease could be a warning sign.

The researchers found that a person with two grandparents diagnosed with the disease was 25% more likely to contract it. Two cousins ​​with Alzheimer's disease can increase the risk by 17%.

A study of more than 270,000 people identified the risk of second-degree family members, such as grandparents and uncles, and third-degree relatives, such as cousins ​​diagnosed with the disease. d & # 39; Alzheimer's.

More than half of people with Alzheimer's disease have a specific gene that triples the risk of contracting it, and it is thought that other genes passed on by families are also responsible for the disease.

However, it is not inevitable that the disease is present in families, because a person can reduce his risk of having it through lifestyle changes, such as weight loss and reduction of the hypertension.

Dr. Lisa Cannon-Albright, head of the University of Utah study, said, "Family history is an important indicator of the risk of Alzheimer's disease, but most research is focused on dementia in members of the immediate family. biggest family photo.

"We found that having a broader view of family history could help better predict risk. These findings could potentially lead to better diagnoses and help patients and their families make health decisions. & # 39;

It is well known that having a parent or sibling of Alzheimer's disease can increase the risk of contracting this disease at an advanced age. But people may want to look at their family tree more widely, based on the latest results.

The risk of contracting Alzheimer's disease can be doubled if at least three members of the second-degree family are affected. These parents include grandparents, uncles and aunts and half-siblings related to blood.

The danger of one's memory impairment also increases by 43% when three of their third-degree relatives are affected. It means cousins, great-grandparents, great-uncles and great-aunts.

Of the 5,320 people in this category, 148 had the disease while researchers expected 103 to be diagnosed.

The results come from the analysis of medical records and death certificates of 270,800 people in the United States, examining four generations in each case.

They showed that a person with a parent or sibling with Alzheimer's disease, as well as a second-degree family member as a grandparent, might see their risk of getting sick. 39 to be diagnosed 21 times higher.

However, some results are based on a small number of people and the authors point out that people who change their lifestyle can reduce by one third their risk of contracting Alzheimer's disease.

In response to the study, published in the journal Neurology, Dr. James Pickett, head of research at the Alzheimer Society, said, "This does not mean that people with a family history will definitely develop dementia.

"The risk of Alzheimer's is complex and involves many factors. By following good advice on their lifestyle, even people with a strong family history could significantly reduce their risk. & # 39;