What is the link between the APOE4 gene and delirium?

The APOE4 gene, a known Alzheimer's risk factor, is now also confirmed as an independent risk factor for delirium, increasing vulnerability.

How much does the APOE4 gene increase the risk of delirium?

For each copy of the APOE4 gene a person carries, their risk of delirium increases by approximately 60 percent.

Can delirium cause long-term cognitive decline according to the new study?

Yes, the study suggests delirium can be an early warning sign that actively speeds up future mental decline, even in cognitively healthy individuals.

Home / Health / Alzheimer's Gene Linked to Delirium: A Dual Brain Threat

Alzheimer's Gene Linked to Delirium: A Dual Brain Threat

25 Nov

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Summary

APOE4 gene, a known Alzheimer's risk, is now a risk for delirium.
Each APOE4 copy increases delirium risk by 60%.
Delirium can speed up mental decline, even in healthy individuals.

Alzheimer's Gene Linked to Delirium: A Dual Brain Threat

The APOE4 gene, a significant predictor of Alzheimer's disease, has now been identified as a distinct risk factor for delirium. This genetic link means individuals carrying APOE4 face a substantially increased vulnerability to delirium, with each copy raising the risk by about 60 percent. This finding challenges the perception of delirium as a mere symptom, revealing its potential to hasten cognitive decline, even in seemingly healthy adults.

The research indicates that the inflammation triggered by events like severe infection or surgery, which causes delirium, damages brain cells through a process similar to that seen in dementia. The APOE4 gene appears to make the brain uniquely susceptible to this inflammatory assault. This connection suggests a biological pathway where delirium can act as an early warning sign and actively contribute to long-term neurodegenerative damage.