Does Chris Hemsworth Have Alzheimer's Disease? No, But He Has a High Chance To Get It

Chris Hemsworth is speaking out about some shocking information he discovered while filming his next series, 'Limitless.'

The 'Thor' actor is disclosing that he may have a higher chance of acquiring Alzheimer's than the average population after completing thorough bloodwork for the National Geographic episode showing on Disney+, which pushes his physical and mental fortitude to the ultimate test.

Chris Hemsworth's Genetic Predisposition for Alzheimer's

In a scene from the episode on brain health, Chris Hemsworth visits Dr. Peter Attia, a specialist in aging, and undergoes a genetic test. Attia informs that Chris Hemsworth carries two copies of the apolipoprotein E gene, or APOE4, which is the gene with the highest risk of causing Alzheimer's disease, according to the National Institute of Aging.

Though still in its adolescence, genetic testing for Alzheimer's is not suggested for everyone. In reality, the National Institute on Aging advises against genetic testing for the majority of individuals since it might result in excessive worry and anxiety and a positive result does not always indicate that you will acquire Alzheimer's.

However, Dr. Attia emphasizes that everyone may lower their chance of developing Alzheimer's later in life by choosing good lifestyle choices, regardless of their genetic structure.

The NIA claims that some genes may make people more likely to acquire dementia, particularly Alzheimer's disease. APOE4 is the most important of them. According to the NIA, one APOE allele each from their biological parents, about 25% of persons have one copy of APOE4 and 2% to 3% have two copies.

According to one study, Chris Hemsworth has a significantly higher chance of acquiring Alzheimer's than the majority of individuals since physicians discovered two copies of the APOE4 gene in his DNA. This means that he received one set of the gene from his father and one set from his mother, as per ABC News.

What is Alzheimer's Disease?

The NIA states that while though APOE4 raises the risk for Alzheimer's disease and is linked to a younger age of disease beginning, it does not guarantee that a person will get the condition. In an interview with Vanity Fair that was published on Thursday, Chris Hemsworth said that the information motivated him to take more time off from work to spend more time with his family.

He said that he was still in the middle of carrying out the professional duties that he had been engaged to accomplish, but that "it definitely sparked something in me to want to take some time off."

Chris Hemsworth, an Australian actor, and his wife, Elsa Pataky, 46, have three children together: India, 10, and twins Sasha and Tristan, who are 8 years old. Hemsworth said that filming a 'Limitless' episode on death made him realize that he is "not ready to go yet."

Hemsworth said that he is adopting "a more selective approach" to his work choices and has grown more at ease declining projects. The Mayo Clinic says that Alzheimer's results in brain cell death and brain tissue shrinkage. The average Alzheimer's patient is older than 75. According to the Mayo Clinic, there is no treatment for the condition, however drugs may momentarily lessen or delay the progression of symptoms.