Gene Variant Linked to Alzhemer

Washington, Jul 1. -A variant of a gene linked to the development of Alzheimer's disease delays the elimination of beta amyloid proteins causing the disease, as reported in the latest issue of the magazine Science Translational Medicine.

It is the variant APOE-e4 that is linked to a slower eradication of beta amyloid protein plaques in the brain.

To prove this theory, scientists of the Medicine School of Washington University measured the concentration of beta amyloid plaques in the brain or cerebrospinal fluid of healthy people under 70, who showed APOE protein variants.

Scientists found that those with variants APOE-e2 and APOE-e3 eliminated the beta amyloid plaques from the brain more rapidly than those with the APOE-e4.

These results show why some people have more concentrations of beta amyloid protein than others.

In a second part of the study, scientists analyzed these genetic variants in genetically modified mice to express all forms of APOE.

Through a technique called microdialysis, they monitored chemical processes in the animals' bodies and found that it took longer for mice with the variant EPOE-e4, both young and old, to eliminate the beta amyloid protein from the brain.

Alzheimer's disease is a neurodegenerative disorder affecting cognitive capacity and behaviour as brain cells die. (Prensa Latina)