Health

Dementia threat 'is greater for short people', say scientists

By JENNY HOPE
Last updated at 23:58pm on 5th May 2008

Men and women with short arms and legs are more likely to develop Alzheimer's in later life, claim scientists.

They believe every extra inch on a limb can help to protect against the disease.

For women every additional inch of leg reduced the chances of developing any kind of dementia by 16 per cent and Alzheimer's by 22 per cent.

For each extra inch of arm span, women were around 10 per cent less likely to develop dementia.

Those with the shortest arm span (less than 60 inches between fingertips when arms were outstretched) were 1.5 times more likely to suffer mental decline.

In men each extra inch of arm span lowered the risk by 6 per cent. The most likely explanation is poor nutrition in early life, which can affect the eventual length of limbs.

Previous studies have shown that poor growth in the womb can increase the risk of heart disease, diabetes and stroke.

The latest study was published yesterday in Neurology, the journal of the American Academy of Neurology, and involved 2,798 men and women in the U.S. with an average age of 72.

Researchers measured the knee height and outstretched arm span from fingertips to fingertips of the volunteers.

Statistical analysis showed extra inches progressively cut the risk of dementia, with the greatest protection against Alzheimer's, even after taking into account high-risk genes.

Dr Tina Huang, from the Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland, said: "Our findings are consistent with other studies that have been done in Korean populations, where shorter limb length was associated with greater risk of dementia.

"The shorter a woman's knee height or the shorter the arm span of either gender, the greater the risk of dementia or Alzheimer's."

• Taking anti-inflammatory painkillers for long periods protects against Alzheimer's, according to research.

A U.S. study of nearly 250,000 forces veterans, published in Neurology, shows regular use of ibuprofen reduces the risk by up to 40 per cent.