Scientists have identified the gene that increases the risk of Alzheimer’s disease up to 12 times and how they can suppress it, a study claims.
ApoE4 is a genetic variant known to increase a person’s chances for developing the neurodegenerative disease.
The mutant gene is directly linked to brain damage caused by knots of protein within neurons called tau tangles. The tangles were found to less harmful without ApoE4.
They believe targeting the gene could theoretically prevent the neurological destruction caused by Alzheimer’s, for which there is currently no cure.
An estimated five-and-a-half million people in the United States suffer from Alzheimer’s, according to the Alzheimer’s Association.
Experts say this discovery could pave the way for treatments that will slow down or halt the disease that causes loss of memory and cognitive function.
