Researchers found 11 new gene variants that are linked to the late on set of Alzheimer's. They used over 74,000 people with and without the disease from 15 different countries. Before these 11 new gene variants were found there were 11 other genes that has already been linked to Alzheimer's, one of which is E-e4, which is the strongest gene impacting the disease. These new genes have doubled the total number of genes that are linked and studied to
Alzheimer's Disease. Not only did researchers find these 11 new gene variants, but they also found 13 others genes that could be linked to Alzheimer's, but these genes need to be studied a little longer to determine it they are in fact linked to Alzheimer's Disease.
The new genes found affect the pathways of Alzheimer's disease and have a big affect on how cells function in the part of the brain that is responsible for memory and learning, but many more studies are needed to understand the disease better. One of the genes found is HLA-DRB5/DRB1 which researchers say is a big finding because this gene is know to control white blood cell interaction which affects the immune system. This gene variant could mean that Alzheimer's disease could be linked to our immune system. Much is not known about how Alzheimer's disease starts, but some researchers say the disease could come about because of poor sleeping habits which causes plaque to build on the brain and eating to much food that contains large amounts of copper.
I chose to write about this article because Alzheimer's is a very serious disease that affects many people and their loved ones, so if researchers are finding out new information about the disease and ways for the disease to stop progressing or from even starting then I think its a article worth reading. Hopefully with even more research researchers will have even more answers and create even betters ways of helping people who are affected by Alzheimer's.
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-204_162-57609581/11-new-gene-variants-linked-to-alzheimers-disease/
Wow! I did not expect Alzheimer's to be this complex. In my Intro to Gerontology class, Alzheimer's is described to be caused by plaque and tangles. With at least 22 confirmed genes discovered, this just indicates that it would be a very tough disease to fully understand! I think the next step, involved in understanding Alzheimer's, is understanding the normal effects of each gene involved and how it changes when someone actually has Alzheimer's.
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