Study on delirium identifies genetic link to Alzheimer’s disease
A study has been published in Nature Aging that has identified the gene APOE as a significant contributor to a person’s risk of developing delirium. APOE is already linked to Alzheimer’s disease.
The study, conducted by researchers at the University of Edinburgh, examined more than one million people’s DNA to make the APOE discovery. They also analysed blood samples from the UK Biobank taken from 32,000 individuals who developed delirium and identified several blood-based proteins that can be used to predict delirium and indicators of brain injury and inflammation. In terms of protecting against delirium, they found that the protein PON3 (that is involved in the processing of statins) may offer some protection.
Albert Tenesa, Professor of Quantitative Genetics at the University of Edinburgh, says:
“The findings shed new light on the biological foundations of delirium, suggesting that brain vulnerability, and systemic and nervous system inflammation may all play important roles. This opens new avenues for investigation not just of delirium itself, but also the poorly understood and very important link between delirium and future risk of dementia.”
Read the study here: https://www.nature.com/articles/s43587-025-01018-6
Watch Dementia Community’s webinar, ‘Delirium & Dementia: Recognising, Responding, and Supporting Together’, here: https://youtu.be/hlPmJL4IyVw?si=3Tk9mskKNza8kU4M