Faulty gene linked to dementia could 'double' risk of severe coronavirus, reveals Exeter-led study
People with a faulty gene linked to an increased dementia risk could be twice as likely to get severe Covid-19, according to an Exeter-led study.
Researchers found those of European ancestry who carry the faulty gene, called
ApoE4, have a higher chance of developing acute
coronavirus symptoms - even when they are not affected by dementia.
Their findings suggest some people may be genetically predisposed to suffer from worse cases of the virus.
David Melzer, Professor of Epidemiology and Public Health at Exeter University, led the research.
He said: “Several studies have now shown that people with dementia are at high risk of developing severe Covid-19.
“This study suggests that this high risk may not simply be due to the effects of dementia, advancing age or frailty, or exposure to the virus in care homes.
