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 Gps

Knowing what Alzheimers is, is the first step.

The intensity and severity of the symptoms will increase throughout the Alzheimers stages, ending with the most incapacitating symptoms that basically render the patient incapable of caring for himself. The early symptoms of this illness can surface a number of years before the disease progresses to the next phase of symptoms. Researchers are also constantly looking for medications and other treatment options that will slow the progression of the disease and hopefully bring a greater amount of quality time for families as a result. Since there is no cure for Alzheimers the current Alzheimer treatment plan, incorporates a drug protocol that is used to try and stabilize the symptoms. It is good to have an idea of what the preliminary symptoms of Alzheimers disease look like as well, so that you can begin to prepare for the illness as early as possible.

Well, it is actually very difficult to get genetic testing done for this because there is no known cure for Alzheimers as of yet.
It seems to predispose individuals toward the disease. Some of these Alzheimers disease statistics are quite shocking. In the course of a conversation, he may have more trouble with finding the right words, and he may even substitute completely different words for the ones that he is having difficulty remembering. He documented what he had discovered, and the disease was named after him.

As the diseases degenerative traits continue to worsen, occupational therapy may provide some aid, but over time, the patients ability to perform simple, daily tasks will degrade to the point that occupational therapy for Alzheimers Disease will no longer be productive.
It is also difficult to deal with because it is a fatal disease. Of those 5. She had rapid memory loss, confusion, disorientation and was suspicious of her own family and staff members at the hospital. What alzheimers disease is, is a brain disorder that not only inhibits the persons ability to remember things, but the disease is also progressive in distorting the thought process, the ability to make decisions or even know where you are at times. It is important for these people to have some support once they have been diagnosed with this disease.