The article Alzheimer's Gene Doubles Risk In African-Americans is about a new study written in JAMA. The study, led by scientist from Columbia University Medical, is the largest analysis to establish genetic risk linked to late-onset Alzheimer’s in African Americans. Genes APOE-e4 and ABCA7 have been found to be the major genes associated with the disease. However, at the same degree of risk between African Americans and Caucasians, both genes raise the risk of Alzheimer’s in African Americans. Whereas only one gene, APOE-e4, is a risk factor in Caucasians. ABCA7 is a gene that has a role in the production of lipids and cholesterol. It is more common among African Americans to suffer lipid and cholesterol imbalances giving this disease a more crucial pathway.
“The ABCA7 gene also impacts the transport of many critical proteins, such as amyloid precursor protein, which is responsible for producing amyloid - the greatest source of the plaques that are found in the brains of patients with Alzheimer's.” (Glynn).
Thusly treatments that lower cholesterol can also be hypothesized to lower or slow down Alzheimer’s.
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/258929.php\
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