How much does increased levels of DNA in the blood increase dementia risk? Elizabeth Tracey reports

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Increased cell death, increased levels of DNA in the blood, increased inflammation, and increased risk for Alzheimer’s disease. That appears to be one scenario to explain findings by Johns Hopkins geriatrics expert Peter Abadir on the relationship between circulating cell free DNA and cognitive decline.

Abadir: We looked at 631 community dwelling older adults. We looked at genomic DNA fragments and we tried to examine if the levels of the genomic DNA fragments is linked to cognitive and physical function. And our findings show that higher levels of the circulating cell free genomic DNA fragments were associated with lower global cognition and slower gait speeds. Higher levels of genomic DNA fragments increased the odds of developing dementia by 27%.            :32

Abadir says measuring circulating cell free DNA may warn of increased risk for older people. At Johns Hopkins, I’m Elizabeth Tracey.