Alzheimer's and cardiovascular disease share common genetics in some patients

Alzheimer’s disease, which currently affects 5.7 million people in the U.S. and has no cure, will potentially have findings that will lead to improve early diagnosis and potentially new preventative strategies for Alzheimer. A research of over 1.5 million individuals has pointed out a link between heart disease and Alzheimer’s disease. A study published in Acta Neuropathologica, combined GWAS (genome-wide association studies) to make statistical links between various disease states and shared variations in the genetic code. The researchers identified 90 spots in the genome where DNA variants increased patients combined chance of having both Alzheimer’s and high blood levels of lipids including HDL and LDL cholesterol, which are common risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Chromosome 11 has been linked to immune system biology, the researchers confirmed that six of the 90 spots had a strong genome-wide significant effects on Alzheimer’s and heightened blood lipid levels, and several sites within CELF/MTCH2/SPI1 on chromosome 11.

So, in conclusion Genetics may predispose some people to both Alzheimer’s disease and high levels of blood lipids such as cholesterol, which causes cardiovascular disease. Which in my opinion if they are linked it means that Alzheimer could be prevented by lowering the level of lipids in the blood, which is a good thing to find since many people a prone to suffer the disease.

Reference:

University of California - San Francisco. "Alzheimer's and cardiovascular disease share common genetics in some patients." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 9 November 2018. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/11/181109155521.htm>.

Scientists Identify Two Genes Raising the Risk of Osteoporosis

Scientists have identified two mutating genes that causes the risk of osteoporosis and bone fractures. Osteoporosis is condition where the bone becomes fragile from the loss of tissue, which affects one in three women and one in five men. Researchers studied the genes of 2,094 females and compared the bone density and the changes within chromosomes 8 and chromosome 11. This study proves that within the changes of the chromosomes there was a risk of osteoporosis by about 20-30 percent. This research provides a better understanding of osteoporosis on the genetic level. 

New York Times Here
Read More Here  

Is fish oil good for you? Depends on your DNA.

The Inuits of Greenland have been known to have excellent cardiovascular health, which is a rising health issue in America. Their extreme lifestyle, mainly the freezing cold temperatures, is supported by their diet. It is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, found in the fat from their consumption of fish and marine mammals. Scientists are still putting the pieces together as to why their diet specifically is so beneficial to their health and hardiness in extreme conditions.

Rasmus Nielson, a population geneticist of the University of California, sought to find the specific DNA differences between populations that may account for the differences in the way we process fatty acids. His research team looked at differences in DNA between 191 Inuits, 60 Europeans, and 44 Han Chinese. They found significant differences on chromosome 11, where many genes control processing of fatty acids. They narrowed down on one DNA base found in most of the Inuits, but only 15% in the Han Chinese and rare in the Europeans. From this research, it is hypothesized that certain populations lacking the base that most Inuits have, have less protection from fats.

Nielson's research is important to world of genetics because it may be leading us towards diets that are determined based on "personalized genetic profiles." I find this information valuable because social media and many dietary journals stress the importance of specific diets to the point where it reaches a startling conformity. Everyone is different and we all require varying levels of fats and vitamins. Fish oil may not be good for everyone, but it definitely makes a difference for the Inuits. In a similar way, other supplements and vitamins found in our foods may have profound differences in effect from person to person.

Original link

Benefits of fish oil

Two Genes Raising the Risk of Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a disease of the bones that decrease bone density. It is a condition that causes bone to become weakens cause bone cells lost than replaced when people age. This cause bone to be prone to injury from minor fall, sneezing or bumping into furniture, or even from simple movements. Osteoporosis is very common, especially in women. According to the National Osteoporosis Foundation, about 54 million Americans have osteoporosis and low bone mass, placing them at increased risk for the disease. About 1 in 2 women and 1 in 4 men age 50 and older will break a bone due to osteoporosis. Some individuals are not diagnosed until something they are injured and fracture/break their bones. Osteoporosis can be due to genetics and environmental factors.

In London, British researchers have identified two common genetic mutations that increase the risk of osteoporosis and other bone fractures. According to Tim Spector and Brent Richards, researchers at King’s College London argues, “Eventually, a panel of genetic markers could be used in addition to environmental risk factors to identify individuals who are most at risk for osteoporotic fractures.” The mutation is likely to be found in chromosome 8 and 11. If the there is a change in chromosome 11, there is about a 30 percent increased risk of the condition. On the other hand, individuals with changes in chromosome 8 run a 20 percent risk. In addition, individuals with both changes, their risk increase by 30 percent. The discovery of the two genes will become important for researchers in developing treatment for osteoporosis.

“These genes can be measured with near perfection and without bias years before the age at which fractures tend to occur – which could provide ample lead-time for preventative measures,” the researchers wrote. This is a major step into understanding the basic cause of that cause osteoporosis. There are treatments available, but none that will cure the condition. Lifestyle changes and medications can slow down the process and help increase bone mass to cut the risk of fractures in patients with osteoporosis. Therefore, it is important to get screen and start treatments.

 Article: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/30/science/bones.html?_r=0