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Surprising Science

Gene Makes People Prone To Alzheimer’s Disease

Researchers have a clearer picture on how a gene contributes to Alzheimer's disease. It establishes a new objective in the fight against the disease. 

Article written by guest writer Rin Mitchell


What’s the Latest Development?

The ApoE4 is a gene that sets off a series of events in the brain, which results in the toxic build up in brain tissue. People who carry two replicas of the gene are more susceptible to Alzheimer’s disease than others because of the massive amounts of toxic substances released in the brain. According to a new study, ApoE4 works through an intracellular protein (Cyclophilin A) that makes the brain vulnerable to an attack. Through this discovery researchers have developed a better understanding of how ApoE4 contributes to Alzheimer’s.

What’s the Big Idea? 

The existence of ApoE4 and the increase of the Cyclophilin A breaks up the lining of cells in the blood vessels, a process similar to cardiovascular disease, which researchers believe will institute a new way to fight Alzheimer’s disease.  


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