What is the Alzheimers Gene?


Alzheimers disease has received a lot of attention over the last decade; much of this attention has been directed toward the existence of the Alzheimers Gene. Part of the reason behind this fact is that the cause for the disease has been difficult to pinpoint. In fact, this is because it may not have any one cause at all.

Types of Alzheimers Disease

Alzheimers Disease can be broadly categorized into two distinctive groups. These groups include late-onset Alzheimers disease and Familial Alzheimers Disease (FAD). FAD is characterized by a very early-onset and an extremely high number of family members being affected by it. Late-onset Alzheimers disease is by far the most common form.

The Alzheimers Gene

There are four chromosomes that have been shown to have something to do with the development of Alzheimers. These chromosomes are 1, 14, 19, and 21. A healthy person has a total of 46 chromosomes. These are generally 23 pairs of chromosomes; one of each pair is received from each parent.

There are many genes that have been associated with Alzheimers disease in studies, although a gene that can be labeling the Alzheimers gene does not necessarily exist. The gene that seems to be the most common indicator of late-onset Alzheimers disease is the APOE gene, located on the chromosome number 19. Specifically, when this gene shows the variant APOE4, the person with this trait is more likely to develop Alzheimers disease. This gene does not make their development of Alzheimers certain, only more likely. It seems to predispose individuals toward the disease.

In the early-onset Alzheimers disease FAD, many families that are predisposed to this disease have been shown to have an abnormality on chromosome number 21. They also seem to show more abnormalities on chromosomes 1 and 14 than other patients. This factor has lead doctors to believe that no single gene abnormality may be the cause of either type of Alzheimers disease. In fact, genes may only be a part of the overall picture of this disease.

This particular genetic discovery regarding chromosome number 21 was found interesting by many scientists because chromosome number 21 is also the chromosome involved with Down syndrome. Individuals that are diagnosed with Down syndrome have an extra copy of chromosome number 21 and they generally develop Alzheimer-like brain abnormalities as they grow older. The abnormality of chromosome 21 may be the closest thing to an Alzheimers gene that exists.

Overall, evidence suggests that there is no real Alzheimers gene, rather a large set of genes that work in conjunction with other factors that make Alzheimers disease more likely to strike.

Alzheimer Facility

In addition, it is also difficult to judge just how fast the disease will develop, though there are general ways in which the disease affects patients of Alzheimers disease.

With that said, most people are still determined to find alzheimers disease help in one way or another. Patients may loose their ability to communicate, to swallow and they will need supervision. You may see the patient put his shoes on the wrong feet or try to slip pajamas on over his clothing. This is due to the fact that the generation known as the baby boomers will hit the age group Alzheimers disease strikes over the next couple of decades. As well in regards to the Alzheimers disease and prevention matter, you want to socialize as much as possible, and this is actually one of the most important Alzheimers disease and prevention steps of all, because active involvement with your family and friends can lower your risk of dementia, and besides stimulating your brain, it lessens depression that can result from isolation.

Stage 6 is when the patient begins having personality changes.
In fact it accounts for approximately 70% of all of the cases that have been diagnosed with dementia. So, the point is to read the labels on everything before purchasing. Alzheimer was able to do an autopsy that showed damage to the brain. This stage is severe, where the patient needs full time care.

Two of these are Aricept and Namenda.
With that said, most people are still determined to find alzheimers disease help in one way or another. This group works around the clock not just to help find the cause of Alzheimers, as well as a cure, but also to make life easier on the patients who have been diagnosed with this disease and the families that are there to help them. Vitamin E is also used in for Alzheimers treatment. The next two stages show an increase in the patients inability to physically take care of themselves.