Actor Chris Hemsworth says he is taking a break from acting after learning he has a heightened risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.
The Thor star made the discovery after undergoing tests as part of his Disney+ documentary series Limitless.
He told Vanity Fair the tests confirmed his “biggest fear”, adding he will now be trying to take “preventative steps”.
Alzheimer’s is the most common form of dementia and can cause memory problems, confusion and communication issues.
Hemsworth learned that he has two copies of the gene ApoE4, one from his mother and one from his father, making him between eight and 10 times more likely to develop the disease than those without both copies of the gene.
About 2 to 3 per cent of the population carries two copies of the gene.
“It’s not like I’ve been handed my resignation,” Hemsworth said, but added the news “really triggered something in me to want to take some time off”.
(BBC News)
