The SORL1 gene is linked to an increased risk of late-onset
Alzheimer's disease. In a study from the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), individuals who possessed this gene exhibited changes in the brain during childhood. This link was confirmed in each of the three approaches used. Using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), individuals age 8-86 with a specific copy of SORL1 had a reduction in white matter, which is important for memory. The next sample employed post-mortem brain tissue from individuals who were under a year old to 92 years of age and who did not have Alzheimer's disease. Those who had the same copy of the gene exhibited a disruption in process that enables the gene to translate to become sortilin-like receptor. In the third sample, post-mortem brain tissue from 66-108 years of age consisted primarily of individuals who had some form of cognitive impairment or Alzheimer's disease. Individuals who had the SORL1 gene had amyloid-beta protein, which is observed in Alzheimer's patients.
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Understanding gene linkages with diseases, such as Alzheimer's is one way to develop successful preventative measures before genetic predispositions take effect. With the early discovery of a genetic predisposition, preventative measures will be more successful.
I must say, I feel that Alzheimer's is the scariest disease to have. The fact that you could slowly and unknowingly forget everything you know. There is a very good book on this called "Still Alice". There is a lot of work being done on research for this subject.
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