Researchers Zero In on Alzheimer's Genes.

[Guest guest]

Researchers Zero In on Alzheimer's Genes

December 2, 2004 (Fisher Center for Alzheimer's Research Foundation)

-- Researchers are searching for new genes that may be linked to the

late-onset form of Alzheimer's disease, by far the most common form of

the devastating memory disorder. If found, these new genes may help

uncover the underlying causes of an ailment that affects more than

four and a half milllion Americans and far more worldwide. The

findings may also lead to effective new drugs and therapies against

the ailment.

" We feel confident that we may be closing in on new Alzheimer's

genes, " says study leader Mayeux, M.D., co-director of the

Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain

at Columbia University Medical Center in New York. His group is

searching for new Alzheimer's-related genes among families living in

the Dominican Republic.

Scientists believe that Alzheimer's is caused by some combination of

nature (genes), nurture (environmental factors), or both. Researchers

have previously identified several mutated forms of genes that result

in early-onset Alzheimer's, a rare forms of Alzheimer's that runs in

families and often strikes younger adults, some as early as age 35.

The far more common form of Alzheimer's strikes seniors in their late

60s, 70s, and beyond. This late-onset form of Alzheimer's has been

conclusively linked to a gene called ApoE4, discovered more than 10

years ago in 1993. Unlike the genes that cause early-onset

Alzheimer's, ApoE4 only increases the risk of developing Alzheimer's.

Just because you carry the gene doesn't mean you will inevitably come

down with Alzheimer's. In addition, people who don't have the gene

still get Alzheimer's. The hunt for additional genes that may

contribute to the disease is an active area of investigation.

In the current study, investigators examined nearly 500 individuals

from 96 Hispanic families, most living in the Dominican Republic.

" The

reason we chose the Caribbean families, " Mayeux explains, " is

that the

Dominican Republic is a kind of genetic isolate. The people there are

more homogeneous than in a place like New York. " He and his

colleagues

found strong evidence for Alzheimer's genes on two chromosomes:

chromosome 10, an area that has been linked to Alzheimer's in earlier

studies, as well as chromosome 18, a novel area for Alzheimer's gene

research. The investigators are pursuing additional studies to

identify the specific gene or genes involved.

[Guest guest]

" Unlike the genes that cause early-onset

Alzheimer's, ApoE4 only increases the risk of developing Alzheimer's.

Just because you carry the gene doesn't mean you will inevitably come

down with Alzheimer's. "

In other words, (in my humble opinion) Alzheimer's is a result of other causes

--

probably the chemical-ridden, artificial, synthetic " frankenfood " that has

become the

staple of the American diet, and genetics (as with most other diseases) is only

10-20% of the picture. But it's big business for those in research.

Interesting that now all senility seems to be considered Alzheimers. When Rita

Hayworth was diagnosed 25 years ago, Alzheimers was the name for senility or

dementia coming on at a young age (she was in her late '50's when diagnosed).

Now people in their late 80's and 90's who would've been diagnosed with senile

dementia, are now (mis)diagnosed as having Alzheimers.

Just my two cents...

d.

--- In infections , " Mark London " <mrl@p...>

wrote:

>

> Researchers Zero In on Alzheimer's Genes

>

> December 2, 2004 (Fisher Center for Alzheimer's Research Foundation)

> -- Researchers are searching for new genes that may be linked to the

> late-onset form of Alzheimer's disease, by far the most common form of

> the devastating memory disorder. If found, these new genes may help

> uncover the underlying causes of an ailment that affects more than

> four and a half milllion Americans and far more worldwide. The

> findings may also lead to effective new drugs and therapies against

> the ailment.

>

> " We feel confident that we may be closing in on new Alzheimer's

> genes, " says study leader Mayeux, M.D., co-director of the

> Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain

> at Columbia University Medical Center in New York. His group is

> searching for new Alzheimer's-related genes among families living in

> the Dominican Republic.

>

> Scientists believe that Alzheimer's is caused by some combination of

> nature (genes), nurture (environmental factors), or both. Researchers

> have previously identified several mutated forms of genes that result

> in early-onset Alzheimer's, a rare forms of Alzheimer's that runs in

> families and often strikes younger adults, some as early as age 35.

>

> The far more common form of Alzheimer's strikes seniors in their late

> 60s, 70s, and beyond. This late-onset form of Alzheimer's has been

> conclusively linked to a gene called ApoE4, discovered more than 10

> years ago in 1993. Unlike the genes that cause early-onset

> Alzheimer's, ApoE4 only increases the risk of developing Alzheimer's.

> Just because you carry the gene doesn't mean you will inevitably come

> down with Alzheimer's. In addition, people who don't have the gene

> still get Alzheimer's. The hunt for additional genes that may

> contribute to the disease is an active area of investigation.

>

> In the current study, investigators examined nearly 500 individuals

> from 96 Hispanic families, most living in the Dominican Republic.

> " The

> reason we chose the Caribbean families, " Mayeux explains, " is

> that the

> Dominican Republic is a kind of genetic isolate. The people there are

> more homogeneous than in a place like New York. " He and his

> colleagues

> found strong evidence for Alzheimer's genes on two chromosomes:

> chromosome 10, an area that has been linked to Alzheimer's in earlier

> studies, as well as chromosome 18, a novel area for Alzheimer's gene

> research. The investigators are pursuing additional studies to

> identify the specific gene or genes involved.

[Guest guest]

I read both papers, and this gene seems to

heighten the inflammatory response.

So .. the way I interpret it, it's just another

genetic variant in the host about how a disease will present.

I can connect the dots and say.. if the gene is present, and you

have untreated un diagnosed Lyme for 30 years, you may develope

symptoms that end up being diagnosed as Alzheimers.

Remember Alzheimners is just another 'syndrom' becuase they

do not know the cause.

Barb