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.

Stages Of Alzheimers

These scans can be helpful when testing for Alzheimers disease because they may show atrophy (shrinking) of the brain (a common Alzheimers indicator) or possibly other causes for Alzheimers-like symptoms.

So, the point is to read the labels on everything before purchasing. While many can survive at home with family members serving as full-time caregivers, some patients, especially those with other ailments, may be better receiving therapy for Alzheimers Disease in an assisted living arrangement. If it appears that being forgetful is having an impact on your life, talk to a physician for further evaluation.

- An estimated 5.
Be aware of the symptoms of Alzheimers and communicate any concerns with your health to your physician. In fact, genes may only be a part of the overall picture of this disease. Before President Reagan died of Alzheimers disease he wrote a letter for the American people informing them about his condition.

If you have elderly parents, aunts, uncles or grandparents, you want to be aware of what causes alzheimers disease, what the symptoms are, and how to recognize them.
In fact, some people as young as 40 or 50-years-old can develop early onset Alzheimers. While you may not notice any changes in the person at first, by the time a person has a moderate case of Alzheimers, they will need assistance with complicated activities. In other words, the information is laid out with a question and an answer to it. While many can survive at home with family members serving as full-time caregivers, some patients, especially those with other ailments, may be better receiving therapy for Alzheimers Disease in an assisted living arrangement.