Risk genes and protective genes in Alzheimer's disease

Rare familial Form of Alzheimer's disease: disease-triggering changes occur mainly in three genes: the App Gene, in the Presenilin1 Gene (most common), in the Presenilin2 Gene (the most rare). All the three genes found mutations increase the production and deposition of Beta-Amyloid in the brain of the Affected.

Common sporadic Form of Alzheimer's disease: The gene variant APOE 4 is one of the biggest risk factors for Alzheimer's disease if it occurs twice, so one copy from the father and from the mother is inherited. More than 40 percent of people with Alzheimer's disease have two copies of APOE 4.

another Gene, a variant of TREM 2, presents an equally high risk of Contracting Alzheimer's disease like APOE 4. TREM 2 plays an important role in the Microglia, the phagocytes of the brain.

Also protective gene mutations are known. The APOE3/Christchurch-mutant of the Colombian woman is the new. It was known that the variant APOE2 protects in duplicate. In the Icelandic population, as well as in Finland, Norway and Sweden, researchers found a rare genetic mutation. It relates to the APP-gen thanks to this change, the makers produce less Beta-Amyloid. (afo)

Created: 07.11.2019, 20:31 PM