Tuesday, November 25, 2014

Two common genetic variants connected to memory performance

            The researchers and scientists from Boston University School of Medicine “have discovered to common genetic variants that are believed to be associated with memory performance.” This is a giant step forward since it can help adults with dementia retain their memory for longer, and be independence for a bit longer. 
Alzheimers linked to Apolipoprotein E gene
The study was conducted under the data that was gathering through “Charge” which is an acronym for Cohorts for Heart and Aging Research in Genomic Epidemiology. They acquired their data from 30,000 dementia free adults over 45 years old, 11,000 candidates of European decent, along with approximately 1,500 young adults to have a comparison between the adults. They were examined by completing memory test that incorporated recalling memories, and they examine segments of their complete genome to certain points that they scored low on the test. In their studies they discovered that the Apolipoprotein E gene had a direct correlation to the candidates low score when remembering, and was known to be a risk of dementia. Along with a section of the genome involving the immune system also had a correlation to the candidates inability to remember.
This is great discovery since this will improve the understanding of memories, and will help people with Alzheimers retain their memories and remain a functional adult. This also shows that by a large collaboration of the scientific community pooling in their data will make it easier and increase the pace of research.  

1 comment:

  1. This research is definitely something that is important and should be done more often. Dementia and Alzheimers are such a terrible sad disease and if we could find what genes are connected to it we might be able to find some medicine and treatments for it. Being able to eliminate it and allow older people to have their memory forever would be so great.

    ReplyDelete