Alzheimer’s Gene Discovery May Help Predict Age Disease Hits
July 12 (Bloomberg) -- A newly discovered gene variant may help determine who is going to get Alzheimer’s disease, and at what age the symptoms of the fatal condition that destroys the mind will start to develop.
The breakthrough comes from Allen Roses, director of the Deane Drug Discovery Institute at Duke University Medical Center, who uncovered the variants in the APOE gene that predispose carriers to Alzheimer’s disease. The new finding refines the earlier work and may be the most accurate way to predict the development and course of the disease, Roses said.
About half of all cases of Alzheimer’s disease are caused by the APOE gene. Adding the new genetic variation, dubbed Tomm40, may help identify up to 85 percent of inherited cases of Alzheimer’s disease and pinpoint when symptoms will start, Roses said in a telephone interview.
The study was scheduled to be presented July 12 at the Alzheimer's Association 2009 International Conference on Alzheimer's Disease, held in Vienna, Austria.
AJC
Alzheimer's is a stealth thief...it steals from us. Right in our midst, everyday as we go about our lives...at first it may just look like signs of senility...a little old age forgetfulness, and then....lost memories, names, recognition and absence. Safety concerns, taking the car keys, removing all hazards, full time care givers and an attempt at some kind of routine to make the person feel safe.
I hate Alzheimer's...when it strikes you cannot laugh, joke, share or even make amends with the person you love anymore. Alzheimer's patients look just like the person you love...but sadly that person does not exist anymore ... if they even remember you...or they repeat the same thought over and over as if they don't want to let go either... We love and care for them...because they deserve that care and compassion from us. We love and care for them because they can no longer do it for themselves. We cry....
I just wanted to share this info because I thought others might be interested. Please do not ask me any medical questions...I am not capable or qualified. Hopefully there will be more information available when the study is published. Living with Alzheimer's...sadly, that I do know about and I have compassion for those who tend to any one who has any type of health issue...pain and suffering knows no bounds or limits.
"This is potentially a very exciting discovery," said Dr. Daniel Kaufer, a neurologist and director of the UNC-Chapel Hill School of Medicine’s Memory and Cognitive Disorders Program. "There has been a big black hole in our knowledge of later onset Alzheimer’s. But the real clinical value remains to be seen down the road."
Kaufer and others noted that a gene discovery doesn’t necessarily result in new treatments.News&Observer
"It now looks fairly clear that there are two major genes -- APOE4 and TOMM40 -- and together they account for an estimated 85 to 90 percent of the genetic effect," Roses said.
The Duke team is planning a five-year study of APOE genotypes and TOMM40, along with a drug trial to assess prevention or delay of Alzheimer's disease onset.AJC
Alzheimers National Institute of Health
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