Obesity may increase Alzheimer's risk: Study
A new 2025 study from Houston Methodist links obesity to a higher risk of Alzheimer's disease.
Researchers found that certain fat particles in people with obesity can travel to the brain and speed up the buildup of amyloid-b plaques—one of the hallmarks of Alzheimer's.
Fat particles speed up amyloid-B buildup
The team discovered these fat-derived vesicles are packed with specific lipids that make amyloid-b clump together faster.
This effect was observed in laboratory models, and the vesicles themselves were studied using both lab tests and mouse models.
Potential for new treatments targeting obesity's role in Alzheimer's
With 40% of US adults living with obesity and over 7 million affected by Alzheimer's, this research points to a new, potentially changeable risk factor.
If future treatments can block these harmful signals from fat tissue, it might help prevent or slow down Alzheimer's—especially for those at higher risk.