Thor star Chris Hemsworth has revealed he has a high chance of being diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease.
The actor discovered he was genetically predisposed to Alzheimer's while making his new Disney+ show Limitless about health and fitness.
He had bloodwork done for the programme and was told he is "between eight and 10 times" likelier to develop Alzheimer's than the general population, because he is one of only two to three percent of people with two copies of the gene APOE4.
He got the gene, which is linked to an increased risk of the disease, from his mother and his father.
A 2021 study by the National Institutes of Health found one in four people carry a single copy of the gene.
In the show's fifth episode, Hemsworth confronts his own mortality following the diagnosis.
"The idea that I won't be able to remember the life I experienced, or my wife, my kids, is probably my biggest fear," he said.
He told Vanity Fair he was trying to focus on the fact it was still just a possibility rather than a reality.
"My concern was I just didn't want to manipulate it and overdramatise it, and make it into some sort of hokey grab at empathy, or whatever, for entertainment.
"It's not like I've been handed my resignation."
However, he revealed it had made him focus more on his health.
"The show became even more poignant than I ever thought it would be. It was a really good catalyst to dive into everything I needed to be doing in either the prevention front or the management front or however you want to classify it.
"It's not a pre-deterministic gene, but it is a strong indication. Ten years ago, I think it was more thought of as determinant."
Hemsworth also revealed his grandfather suffered from the disease.
"I haven't seen him in a few years, but my other family members have and there's some days where he's quite joyful and gives you a big hug.
"But my mum was saying he's just a really friendly guy. I'm not sure he actually remembers much anymore."
