Latest news with #JohnOlynyk
New York Post
15-07-2025
- Health
- New York Post
Men can face double dementia risk if they have this hidden genetic mutation
A hidden genetic mutation could predict a man's likelihood of developing dementia. That's according to an Australian study led by Monash and Curtin Universities, which analyzed the medical data of thousands of Australians and Americans. Men who had a certain variant in the haemochromatosis (HFE) gene — which regulates iron levels in the body — were found to be at a higher risk of dementia, the researchers found. Previously healthy men over age 70 who have two copies of the variant, which is known as H63D, are at least twice — or up to four times — as likely to develop dementia. Having just one copy did not appear to elevate the risk. One in 36 men carry two copies of the mutation; one in three have just a single copy. 4 Men who had a certain variant in the haemochromatosis (HFE) gene were found to be at a higher risk of dementia, the researchers found. wirojsid – 'It is only men who have two copies of the variant that are at risk,' study co-author Professor John Olynyk from the Curtin Medical School told Fox News Digital. 'Women are not affected by the abnormality – we do not know why that is at the current point in time.' The study, which was published in the journal Neurology, used data from the ASPirin in Reducing Events in the Elderly (ASPREE) trial, which gathered health and aging data for 19,114 healthy older adults. Those who have the genetic variant can't change it, but it's possible that the 'brain pathways' it affects could be treated, Olynyk noted. 4 Those who have the genetic variant can't change it, but it's possible that the 'brain pathways' it affects could be treated, Olynyk noted. jamesteohart – 'The HFE gene is routinely tested for in most Western countries … when assessing people for haemochromatosis, a disorder that causes the body to absorb too much iron,' the doctor said. 'Our findings suggest that perhaps this testing could be offered to men more broadly.' Despite the fact that the HFE gene is responsible for controlling iron levels, the team found no direct link between iron and dementia risk. 'Our findings suggest that perhaps this testing could be offered to men more broadly.' Professor John Olynyk 'This points to other mechanisms at play, possibly involving the increased risk of brain injury from inflammation and cell damage in the body,' Olynyk added. More research is needed to determine why the heightened risk wasn't seen in women. 4 Despite the fact that the HFE gene is responsible for controlling iron levels, the team found no direct link between iron and dementia risk. djoronimo – 'Understanding why men with the double H63D variant are at higher risk could pave the way for more personalized approaches to prevention and treatment,' added co-author Professor Paul Lacaze from Monash University in a press release. The main limitation of the study, according to Olynyk, was that the study population was largely composed of Australians. 'Whether other populations exhibit the same effects is unclear,' he told Fox News Digital. 'Our work should be repeated in different countries to assess this.' 'Further research will be undertaken to try and determine the likely mechanism by which this anomaly causes dementia and what more we can do to reduce the impact of it.' 4 The main limitation of the study, according to Olynyk, was that the study population was largely composed of Australians. Monkey Business – Beyond this specific mutation, many other genetic and environmental factors can contribute to dementia risk, Olynyk noted. 'While genetic risk factors cannot be changed, the mechanisms by which these genetic abnormalities and environmental factors cause disease may well be modifiable to some extent, through adopting a healthy lifestyle and being proactive about maintaining an overall good state of health,' he said. To reduce risk, the researchers recommend adopting a healthy lifestyle that includes exercising regularly, eating a nutritious diet, minimizing alcohol intake, remaining mentally active, and seeing a doctor to address any medical problem known to increase the likelihood of dementia. The University of Melbourne, The Royal Children's Hospital, Murdoch Children's Research Institute and Fiona Stanley Hospital also contributed to the study.
Fox News
14-07-2025
- Health
- Fox News
Men face double dementia risk if they have a hidden genetic mutation
A hidden genetic mutation could predict a man's likelihood of developing dementia. That's according to an Australian study led by Monash and Curtin Universities, which analyzed the medical data of thousands of Australians and Americans. Men who had a certain variant in the haemochromatosis (HFE) gene — which regulates iron levels in the body — were found to be at a higher risk of dementia, the researchers found. Previously healthy men over age 70 who have two copies of the variant, which is known as H63D, are at least twice — or up to four times — as likely to develop dementia. Having just one copy did not appear to elevate the risk. One in 36 men carry two copies of the mutation; one in three have just a single copy. "It is only men who have two copies of the variant that are at risk," study co-author Professor John Olynyk from the Curtin Medical School told Fox News Digital. "Women are not affected by the abnormality – we do not know why that is at the current point in time." The study, which was published in the journal Neurology, used data from the ASPirin in Reducing Events in the Elderly (ASPREE) trial, which gathered health and aging data for 19,114 healthy older adults. Those who have the genetic variant can't change it, but it's possible that the "brain pathways" it affects could be treated, Olynyk noted. "The HFE gene is routinely tested for in most Western countries … when assessing people for haemochromatosis, a disorder that causes the body to absorb too much iron," the doctor said. "Our findings suggest that perhaps this testing could be offered to men more broadly." Despite the fact that the HFE gene is responsible for controlling iron levels, the team found no direct link between iron and dementia risk. "Our findings suggest that perhaps this testing could be offered to men more broadly." "This points to other mechanisms at play, possibly involving the increased risk of brain injury from inflammation and cell damage in the body," Olynyk added. More research is needed to determine why the heightened risk wasn't seen in women. "Understanding why men with the double H63D variant are at higher risk could pave the way for more personalized approaches to prevention and treatment," added co-author Professor Paul Lacaze from Monash University in a press release. The main limitation of the study, according to Olynyk, was that the study population was largely composed of Australians. "Whether other populations exhibit the same effects is unclear," he told Fox News Digital. "Our work should be repeated in different countries to assess this." "Further research will be undertaken to try and determine the likely mechanism by which this anomaly causes dementia and what more we can do to reduce the impact of it." Beyond this specific mutation, many other genetic and environmental factors can contribute to dementia risk, Olynyk noted. "While genetic risk factors cannot be changed, the mechanisms by which these genetic abnormalities and environmental factors cause disease may well be modifiable to some extent, through adopting a healthy lifestyle and being proactive about maintaining an overall good state of health," he said. To reduce risk, the researchers recommend adopting a healthy lifestyle that includes exercising regularly, eating a nutritious diet, minimizing alcohol intake, remaining mentally active, and seeing a doctor to address any medical problem known to increase the likelihood of dementia. For more Health articles, visit The University of Melbourne, The Royal Children's Hospital, Murdoch Children's Research Institute and Fiona Stanley Hospital also contributed to the study.
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India.com
31-05-2025
- Health
- India.com
Study Finds Genetic Variant That Doubles Dementia Risk In Men: What You Need To Know
New Delhi: Australian researchers have identified a common genetic variant that doubles the risk of dementia in men. The team from Curtin University said that one in three people carry one copy of the variant, known as H63D, while one in 36 carry two copies. The research, published in the journal Neurology, found that men who carry a double H63D variant are twice as likely to develop dementia in their lifetime compared to women. The study, based on 19,114 healthy older people in Australia and the US, investigated whether people who had variants in the hemochromatosis (HFE) gene, which is critical for regulating iron levels in the body, might be at increased risk of dementia. "Having just one copy of this gene variant does not impact someone's health or increase their risk of dementia. However, having two copies of the variant more than doubled the risk of dementia in men, but not women," said Professor John Olynyk, from the Curtin Medical School. "While the genetic variant itself cannot be changed, the brain pathways which it affects -- leading to the damage that causes dementia -- could potentially be treated if we understood more about it," Olynyk added. Professor Olynyk said further research was needed to investigate why this genetic variant increased the risk of dementia for males but not females. "The HFE gene is routinely tested for in most Western countries, including Australia, when assessing people for hemochromatosis -- a disorder that causes the body to absorb too much iron. Our findings suggest that perhaps this testing could be offered to men more broadly," Olynyk said. While the HFE gene is critical for controlling iron levels in the body, the team found no direct link between iron levels in the blood and increased dementia risk in affected men. "This points to other mechanisms at play, possibly involving the increased risk of brain injury from inflammation and cell damage in the body," Olynyk said. The findings could help improve outcomes for people at risk of developing dementia and pave the way for more personalised approaches to prevention and treatment, especially for men with the double H63D variant.
Hans India
31-05-2025
- Health
- Hans India
Study finds common gene variant that doubles dementia risk for men
Australian researchers have identified a common genetic variant that doubles the risk of dementia in men. The team from Curtin University said that one in three people carry one copy of the variant, known as H63D, while one in 36 carry two copies. The research, published in the journal Neurology, found that men who carry a double H63D variant are twice as likely to develop dementia in their lifetime compared to women. The study, based on 19,114 healthy older people in Australia and the US, investigated whether people who had variants in the hemochromatosis (HFE) gene, which is critical for regulating iron levels in the body, might be at increased risk of dementia. "Having just one copy of this gene variant does not impact someone's health or increase their risk of dementia. However, having two copies of the variant more than doubled the risk of dementia in men, but not women," said Professor John Olynyk, from the Curtin Medical School. "While the genetic variant itself cannot be changed, the brain pathways which it affects -- leading to the damage that causes dementia -- could potentially be treated if we understood more about it," Olynyk added. Professor Olynyk said further research was needed to investigate why this genetic variant increased the risk of dementia for males but not females. "The HFE gene is routinely tested for in most Western countries, including Australia, when assessing people for hemochromatosis -- a disorder that causes the body to absorb too much iron. Our findings suggest that perhaps this testing could be offered to men more broadly," Olynyk said. While the HFE gene is critical for controlling iron levels in the body, the team found no direct link between iron levels in the blood and increased dementia risk in affected men. "This points to other mechanisms at play, possibly involving the increased risk of brain injury from inflammation and cell damage in the body," Olynyk said. The findings could help improve outcomes for people at risk of developing dementia and pave the way for more personalised approaches to prevention and treatment, especially for men with the double H63D variant.
