Catalyst Awardee

Project Description

Study on Dietary Factors to Reduce Dementia Risk Related to Apolipoprotein E (ApoE) Genotype and Gender Difference (D-AGE)

Masahito Yamada, Ph.D., M.D. | Kanazawa University; Tsuyoshi Hamaguchi, Ph.D., M.D. | Kanazawa University; Moeko Noguchi-Shinohara, Ph.D., M.D. | Kanazawa University;  Akihito Ishigami, Ph.D. | Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology
Competition Sponsor: Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development
Awardee Year: 2020

Major genetic risk factorsfor sporadic Alzheimer’s disease (AD) are “apolipoprotein E (ApoE) E4 (4 allele)” and “female”. To rescue women with ApoE E4 from dementia/AD, we have investigated dietary factors that reduce the genetic risk. In our population-based cohort study on dementia, we have found the association of higher blood “vitamin C” levels with reduced risk of future cognitive decline in women with ApoE. Elucidation of the dietary factors, such as “vitamin C”, that reduce the genetic risk of dementia/AD can contribute much to older people, providing safe and inexpensive tools for prevention of dementia/AD in a super-aged society in the middle of the 21st century. Furthermore, understanding of the interactions of “ApoE E4”, “female”, and “vitamin C” in AD pathogenesis would lead to the discovery of a novel target for treatment and prevention of AD.
To learn more about this proposal email healthylongevity@nas.edu.

Sign up for updates