Iron could be a hidden factor in men's dementia risk. A new Australian analysis of 19,000 participants in the ASPREE trial found that men carrying two copies of the H63D variant of the HFE gene have over twice the chance of developing dementia compared to peers.
The HFE gene helps regulate iron levels. While a single copy of the H63D variant is harmless for most people, roughly one in 36 people worldwide carry two copies. In men, this double dose is linked to a significant jump in dementia risk. Women with the same genetic makeup showed no increased risk.
"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," explains Prof. John Olynyk of Curtin University, co-author of the Neurology paper.
With over 400,000 Australians living with dementia—around a third of them men—these insights could reshape prevention strategies. Researchers hope that by understanding how the H63D variant affects brain pathways, they can develop targeted interventions long before symptoms appear.
As genetics, iron metabolism and neurodegeneration converge, this study adds to a global conversation about personalized brain health. Could monitoring iron pathways pave the way for new dementia prevention? Let us know your thoughts.
Reference(s):
Iron-related gene variant tied to higher dementia risk in men: study
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