15 December 2005
In a world first, scientists have discovered how being overweight or obese creates a high risk for Alzheimer's.
New research by Edith Cowan University Professor Ralph Martins in Western Australia and Thomas Jefferson University Professor Sam Gandy in the US - just published in the international Journal of Alzheimer's Disease* - is the first to link overweight and obese states in mentally healthy adults to elevated circulating levels of a key Alzheimer's molecule in the blood.
Professor Martins' and Professor Gandy's research shows that being overweight or obese significantly increases the risk of developing Alzheimer's Disease.
Their research implies that by losing excess weight and maintaining normal body weight, the risk of developing the debilitating condition is significantly reduced.
Professor Martins heads up Edith Cowan University 's Centre for Excellence in Alzheimer's Disease Research and Care to progress early detection, prevention and treatment of the debilitating condition. Professor Gandy is Director of the Farber Institute for Neurosciences at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia .
Contact: Tanyia Maxted
t.maxted@ecu.edu.au
(0011 61) 6304 2050 or 438 645839
www.ecu.edu.au
