Alzheimer's disease is the most common form of dementia among older people. It first involves the parts of the brain that control thought, memory and language.
Risk Factors for Alzheimers Disease
Cognitively normal adults exhibiting atrophy of their temporal lobe or damage to blood vessels in the brain are more likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease.
Cognitively normal adults exhibiting atrophy of their temporal lobe or damage to blood vessels in the brain are more likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease.
‘Alzheimer’s disease usually begins after age 60. The risk goes up as you get older. Your risk is also higher if a family member has had the disease.’
The study suggests lifestyle changes could reduce the likelihood of developing AD in individuals with this genetic predisposition. Individuals who inherit the gene APOE4 -- approximately 12 percent of the U.S. population -- have an increased risk of late-onset AD, but not all carriers develop the disease. Although the role of APOE4 in AD is not known, environmental factors that also increase risk of dementia, such as obesity, may contribute to development of AD.
Christian Pike and Alexandra Moser investigated the interaction between APOE4 and obesity in a mouse model of AD, in which some male mice carry the human version of APOE4 and others carry the more common human version APOE3. The authors found that APOE4-carrying mice fed a Western-like diet high in saturated fat and sugars for 12 weeks had increased deposits of β-amyloid protein as well a greater number of glial cells, characteristic of AD. These changes were not observed in mice carrying APOE3, which could mean that carriers of APOE4 are more susceptible to the effects of obesity on AD.
Inability to Recognize Familiar Smells Could Signal Alzheimers
People who have difficulty recognizing familiar smells could be experiencing an early sign of Alzheimer's disease, according to a study published Monday.
People who have difficulty recognizing familiar smells could be experiencing an early sign of Alzheimer's disease, according to a study published Monday.
Alzheimer�s Risk Increases With Loss of Y Chromosome
About one in five men over age 80 lose the Y chromosome from their blood cells and the condition is known a loss of Y, or LOY.
About one in five men over age 80 lose the Y chromosome from their blood cells and the condition is known a loss of Y, or LOY.
First Case of Alzheimer�s Diagnosed in a HIV-Positive Patient
Chronic HIV infection and amyloid deposition with aging may represent a double-hit to the brain that results in progressive dementia.
Chronic HIV infection and amyloid deposition with aging may represent a double-hit to the brain that results in progressive dementia.
