Chris Hemsworth Releases Alzheimer’s Documentary
Marvel star Chris Hemsworth is swapping the red carpet for the open road in a deeply personal new documentary from National Geographic.
A Road Trip to Remember follows Chris and his father, Craig, as they embark on a long-dreamed-of motorbike adventure across Australia.
For years the father and son talked about making the trip, but life always got in the way – until Craig’s Alzheimer’s diagnosis changed everything.
More recently the idea of taking that road trip reemerged with more pressing importance. The result was a more profound, more moving, and more surprising journey than I ever anticipated.
What unfolds is more than a scenic drive; the heartfelt film follows the pair revisiting key places from their past to spark Craig’s memories and keep him connected to himself, his family and his roots.
At its core, the documentary shows how keeping socially connected can help us feel happier and healthier.
Social activities like spending time with loved ones and being part of a community may also help to reduce dementia risk.
Chris shares important research about how people can take steps right now to support their brain health, whether they have a dementia diagnosis or not.
In 2022, Chris revealed in his National Geographic docuseries Limitless that he carries two copies of the APOE4 gene variant.
Different versions of the APOE gene, which is involved in how cholesterol is processed, can affect how likely we are to develop Alzheimer’s. There are three versions, or variants, of the gene which affect our risk in different ways – with APOE4 increasing Alzheimer’s risk.
Chris has stressed that his increased risk is not the same as a dementia diagnosis. There is no guarantee he will develop the disease.
About one in 50 people inherit two copies of APOE4 – one from each parent. People with two copies may be up to 15 times more likely to develop Alzheimer’s than those with no copies of this version of the gene. People who inherit one or two copies of APOE4 can still take steps to reduce their risk of dementia.
Other factors, such as age and lifestyle, play a role in whether a person develops Alzheimer’s. People without the APOE4 gene can develop Alzheimer’s, while people who do have the APOE4 gene may never develop the disease.
Having learned his own risk of dementia is elevated, Chris has been open about reshaping his life. He’s spending more time with his family and staying mentally and physically fit to help reduce his risk of dementia.
Along the way, he has become a global advocate for people affected by dementia.
Commenting on the importance of the Hemsworth documentary, Samantha Benham-Hermetz, Executive Director at Alzheimer’s Research UK, said:
“Raising awareness about dementia and supporting our brain health matters now more than ever.
“We are grateful to the Hemsworth family for sharing their experience of Alzheimer’s and how it impacts their lives. Their openness will remind people who are living with and affected by dementia that they are not alone.
“Craig Hemsworth is one of over 55 million people living with dementia worldwide. If nothing changes, this number is projected to triple by 2050, rising to more than 150 million.
“For too long, dementia has been shrouded in silence, stigma and misunderstanding – but dementia research is making progress towards a cure. Having Chris and Craig Hemsworth shine a light on dementia, genetic risk and lifestyle factors will help bring the condition out of the shadows.
The documentary is an act of defiance against the fatalism associated with dementia. It highlights the science of how keeping connected to each other is an important way people can improve their brain health.
“Dementia is one of the biggest global health crises. That’s why Alzheimer’s Research UK is funding the research that will help us find ways to treat, diagnose and prevent the diseases that cause dementia. So that we can make a life-changing difference to everyone affected.”
