Melanoma Reduces Alzheimer's Risk: Study

Individuals diagnosed with malignant melanoma may have a reduced risk of developing Alzheimer's disease. New findings, recently published online in Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology & Venereology, align with previous studies that have demonstrated a decreased risk of Alzheimer's disease (AD) in individuals with various cancers, including non-melanoma skin cancers (including squamous cell cancers and basal cell cancers).

The current study included patients aged 60-88 years with a clinic follow-up of at least one year and no diagnosis of AD or skin cancer at the beginning of the study. Of 1,147 patients who were later diagnosed with malignant melanoma, five were diagnosed with subsequent AD. Of 2,506 who were diagnosed with basal cell cancer, five had a subsequent AD diagnosis, and of 967 who were diagnosed with squamous cell cancer, only one had a subsequent AD diagnosis. 

After adjustments, a diagnosis of malignant melanoma was associated with a 61% reduced risk of developing AD. For basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas, the reduced risks were 82% and 92%, respectively.