A new study suggests that having two copies of the APOE4 gene variant, known to increase the risk of Alzheimer’s disease, is more than a risk factor—it is strongly linked to developing the mind-robbing condition.
Driver of Alzheimer’s Onset
Approximately 2-3 percent of the population carries two copies of the APOE4 gene, according to Dr. Fortea.The research team evaluated clinical data, pathological changes, and biomarkers in individuals with two APOE4 alleles. Their database included 3,297 brain donors, 273 individuals with dual APOE4 genes, and clinical/biomarker data from 10,000 people, including 519 with the dual APOE4 variant.
The analysis revealed that virtually all individuals with two APOE4 genes had elevated Alzheimer’s biomarker levels by age 55 compared to those with the APOE3 gene.
Treatment Options Limited
While medication options to manage Alzheimer’s symptoms or to treat the condition exist, they are typically prescribed after a person has already been diagnosed.Immunotherapy is another treatment approach, as it targets the amyloid proteins that form plaques in the brain, thought to cause the associated cognitive impairment.
Alzheimer’s was the fifth leading cause of death among people aged 65 and above in 2021 in the U.S., Globally, Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia ranked as the seventh leading cause of death in 2019, according to the World Health Organization. Memory problems are often one of the earliest warning signs of the disease.
Certain lifestyle risk factors can increase a person’s likelihood of developing Alzheimer’s disease, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. They include poor diet, smoking, excessive drinking, inadequate sleep, and lack of exercise.
