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.

Treatment For Alzheimers

Alzheimer disease is a very well known disease that is on the forefront of research.

The Alzheimers Association was founded in the 1980s. There are presently more than five million people living with this disease, and although there is currently no cure for Alzheimers, there are various new treatments that are on the horizon as a result of the incredibly accelerating insight into the actual biology of the disease itself, which is a very positive thing. Alzheimers disease is a phenomenon thats not known to its fullest.

Hopefully the patient has already prepared advance directives and a living will with durable power of attorney.
There are a number of different associations and organizations out there that specialize in Alzheimers disease and which strive to help persons suffering from the disease as much as possible, one of the most well respected and well known being Alzheimers Disease International. This is why Alzheimers symptoms oftentimes show up gradually. If you are caring for a loved one who is suffering with Alzheimers disease, you know how challenging the task is.

Alzheimers disease was first identified in the early 1900s.
What is Alzheimers Disease, and Can Anything Be Done About It? However this doesnt mean that there arent things you can do to help someone you know or love when it comes to alleviating some of the pain from the disease. This will prepare you for the long fight ahead if alzheimers disease is found to be inevitable. Moreover, Alzheimers disease will touch and affect different persons in different ways and what the symptoms that shows in each individual person cannot be predicted nor the order in which they appear.