Lycopene and the APOE gene are responsible for 90% of Alzheimer's cases: A British study opens new horizons for treatment

Lycopene and the APOE gene are responsible for 90% of Alzheimer's cases: A British study opens new horizons for treatment

A recent scientific study conducted by researchers at University College London (UCL) has revealed a significant advance in understanding the genetic causes of Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia. The study demonstrated that the apolipoprotein E (APOE) gene may play a crucial role in approximately 50% of dementia cases overall, and up to 90% of Alzheimer's cases specifically. Published on January 9, 2026, in the journal npj Dementia, part of the Nature group, the study represents a significant step that could pave the way for the development of preventative or therapeutic treatments targeting this gene or its effects. Study Details and Key Findings:  The study was led by Dylan Williams from the Department of Psychiatry at UCL, in collaboration with an international team, and was based on the analysis of genetic and health data from over 450,000 individuals. The results showed that variants in the APOE gene (particularly the e4 variant) are strongly associated with a…