Chris Hemsworth has higher Alzheimer’s risk, according to a recent DNA test. But for those in same boat, don’t panic – genetics tests have limitations
- The Thor star recently announced an acting hiatus after a genetics test made him face his ‘biggest fear’ of forgetting his life and family through dementia
- Tests like this can reveal risks, but not whether you’ll develop the illness. Lifestyle choices can help stave off Alzheimer’s and more, regardless of genetics
I worry about developing my mother’s dementia. I don’t want to unravel as she has, lose the essence of me, all my stories, my connection to my children. I don’t want them to have to look after me when I’m her age.
Naturally then, stories like Chris Hemsworth’s alarm me. The Australian actor and star of Marvel’s Thor movies has recently been found to be at heightened risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease due to his genetics.
The knee-jerk reaction could be to dash off and get the same genetic test he had, in hopes of understanding if I’m at risk too. But then I unpack the anxiety carefully and try not to panic.
After all, everybody says depression is genetic, and so far I have avoided that illness, despite my mother suffering from it for many years.
It could be my mother’s long history of depression, and not DNA, that contributed to her dementia. Depression, especially if it manifests in early adulthood and is resistant to treatment, is a significant and independent risk factor for dementia down the road.
