Mutation Helps Those at Higher Risk of Dementia avoid Alzheimer's

 

    

    In a recent article written by Dennis Thompson in the U.S. News and World Report, he describes a genetic mutation that helps to protect people from Alzheimer's even if they carry the gene that puts them at a higher risk of the disease known as APOE4.

    The mutation of the gene, called P3S-Humanin, enables cells to produce a more powerful version of humanin, a protein that it important to cellular function. Humanin produced by this mutation also was more effective in clearing amyloid beta, a signature of Alzheimer's, from lab mice with the APOE4 gene. the P3S-Humanin mutation is found in Ashkenazi Jews.

    Humanin is important because it has been shown to protect brain health as well as reduce inflammation and stress. Furthermore, the study conducted testing on nearly 500 centenarians. This testing included brain function tests. In these tests those centenarians who possessed both the P3S-Humanin and APOE4 genes outperformed those with just the APOE4 gene. This demonstrated the powerful impact humanin can have on brain function.

    In my opinion this article is importance because it demonstrates ways to treat Alzheimer's which is especially importance considering it is a genetic disease with no known cure. This research has the ability to profoundly impact those at higher risk for the disease as well as their families by providing an extended period of cognitive function to those afflicted by the disease.