SMore Genes and Alzheimer’s Disease

Two large studies have discovered five new genes related to Alzheimer’s disease (AD) with findings to be published in Nature Genetics this month. Genes of more than 500,00 people in the United States and Europe were analyzed and confirm five genes make the disease more likely in the elderly. This type of discovery can help to better understand the disease process and potentially unlock new treatment approaches.

There has been a strong suspicion that cholesterol and inflammation are part of the disease process. Persons with high cholesterol are more likely to get AD. Strokes and head injury that increase the risk of AD also cause brain inflammation. Some of the newly discovered genes support the relationship between levels of cholesterol and inflammation and risk of AD.

The new genes double the number of genes (from 5 to 10) previously identified to be involved in AD. Experts believe the additional genes open new avenues for research and discovery. While the discovery of these new genes may not be as significant as the discovery of APOE, a gene discovered in 1995 that greatly increases one’s risk of AD: by 400 percent if a person inherits a copy from one parent, by 1,000 percent if from both parents, they are nevertheless important. Each of the new genes may increase risk of AD by no more than 10 to 15 percent. However, even a slight increase in risk can help to unlock the mystery of the disease process that is not yet known.

The new genes differentiated those who got AD from same age people who did not. Results from these two studies support the model of multiple centers of research excellence working together, even internationally, rather than in isolation. The discovery of the new genes is a strong step forward to better understanding this devastating neurodegenerative disease.