- Researchers study the risk of dementia in older adults.
- They look at a gene called APOE ε4, a variant.
- They also study damage in small brain blood vessels.
- This damage appears as white matter hyperintensities on scans.
- People who have both problems have a higher dementia risk.
- Each problem adds its own part of the risk.
- Controlling blood pressure and diabetes can help prevent damage.
- Having the APOE ε4 gene does not mean dementia.
Difficult words
- researcher — person who studies topics and collects dataResearchers
- risk — chance of something bad happening
- gene — part of the body that gives traits
- variant — a different form of something
- dementia — illness that affects memory and thinking
- damage — harm or injury to a person or thing
- blood vessel — tube in the body that carries bloodblood vessels
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- Do you check your blood pressure?
- Do you know what a gene is?
- Would you see a doctor if you had memory problems?
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