Researchers in Australia have been studying APOE4, or the gene that they believe is responsible for causing Alzheimer’s and dementia, according to an article at the Pharmaceutical Business Review Online called “Alzheimer’s Gene Kicks in Later in Life,” by Sarah Routledge.
As the title of the article suggests, the scientists are beginning to notice that the gene isn’t triggered until later in life, which explains why dementia and other Alzheimer’s symptoms are rare in younger adults. Cognitive decline is thought to be the trigger: once the brain begins to slow down a little with age, as is normal, APOE4 kicks in and begins to accelerate the process, causing a downward spiral.
The author of the study, Anthony Jorm, gives an analogy that makes this process a little easier to understand. He says, “In general, hair becomes thinner with age. However, there are some people who have an additional hereditary factor that makes them go bald at an early age.”
This does still leave the question open, however, as to why a small number of adults show symptoms of early Alzheimer’s and dementia much earlier in life. Whatever causes their cognitive decline, it isn’t linked to APOE4. That Alzheimer’s- and dementia-linked gene was shown only in the study to affect older adults experiencing normal brain-aging.
Though it doesn’t illuminate reasons for dementia in younger adults, researchers are happy with their findings. Identifying and understanding what gene causes a disease are the first steps in finding a way to fight it.
To read about the study in greater detail, please visit the following link:
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