Brisbane scientists have linked frailty to Alzheimer’s disease and identified genes which control aging, providing new hope in combating the disease.
In a landmark study, QIMR Berghofer geneticists have identified over 400 genes linked to accelerated aging and frailty, many of which are active in key regions of the brain, with the research tipped to change how we age.
Associate Professor Michelle Lupton the study found that genetic activity in the prefrontal cortex, hippocampus and motor cortex played a significant role in age-related decline.
“These regions are responsible for decision-making, memory and movement and are things that often get worse with age,” Associate Professor Lupton said.
She said the research showed that frailty was not just physical, it was deeply neurological.
“We’ve discovered that frailty is genetically complex and involves multiple systems, especially the brain.
“Understanding which genes are active in which brain regions helps us target therapies more precisely.”
Associate Professor Lupton said follow-up research from QIMR Berghofer, linking frailty to dementia, found that while overall frailty wasn’t a direct cause of Alzheimer’s disease, specific aspects like disability-related frailty were shown to be causal.
She said cognitive frailty was also associated with increased dementia risk, suggesting shared biological processes between frailty and neuro-degeneration.
“But there is good news, as many of the symptoms linked to these genes, things like muscle weakness, slow walking, memory loss and social isolation, are modifiable.”
Associate Professor Lupton said lifestyle changes could help counteract any genetic risk, with tips to reduce frailty, including:
- Eat a balanced diet rich in antioxidants and omega-3s to support brain and muscle health.
- Stay physically active with strength and balance exercises.
- Engage your brain through reading, puzzles or learning new skills.
- Maintain social connections to reduce isolation.
- Avoid smoking and excessive alcohol.
- Get quality sleep to support cognitive and metabolic function
“The ultimate goal is to use genetic insights to develop personalised therapies and preventative strategies,” she said.
“In the future, frailty won’t be inevitable, we’ll have tools to intervene early and help people stay healthier for longer.”
Read the full study: Uncovering the multivariate genetic architecture of frailty with genomic structural equation modelling.
