A gene long thought to just raise the risk for Alzheimer's may cause some cases

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

Source: AP

WASHINGTON (AP) — For the first time, researchers have identified a genetic form of late-in-life Alzheimer’s disease — in people who inherit two copies of a worrisome gene.

Scientists have long known a gene called APOE4 is one of many things that can increase people’s risk for Alzheimer’s, including simply getting older. The vast majority of Alzheimer’s cases occur after age 65. But research published Monday suggests that for people who carry not one but two copies of the gene, it’s more than a risk factor, it’s an underlying cause of the mind-robbing disease.

The findings mark a distinction with “profound implications,” said Dr. Juan Fortea, who led the study the Sant Pau Research Institute in Barcelona, Spain.

Among them: Symptoms can begin seven to 10 years sooner than in other older adults who develop Alzheimer’s.

Read more: https://apnews.com/article/alzheimers-dementia-cause-gene-apoe-memory-c1b4f0abfc708d3be0bb9c5fb70cbc77

---

Donny's daddy had Alzheimer's. Wonder if he has the gene(s)?

[cstanleytech]

1. From what we have seen so far of Trump I'm willing to bet that he does have it.

[Aussie105]

2. We are learning lots more about troublesome genes.

Haemophilia and sickle cell anaemia are two well known ones, but new ones are being revealed as we go along.
Others have different known causes with genetic abnormalities. There is Trisomy 21, or Dow's syndrome.

Lesser known ones are for disposition for bowel cancer, early type 1 juvenile onset diabetes.

This Alzheimer's one is a recent one.

Luck of the draw, the genetic lottery has some winners and some losers.

Some bad gene combinations may be the cause of early gestational feral deaths, and stillbirths.

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

3. Down Syndrome.

Not Dow's syndrome.