Double Trouble: Two APOE4 Genes Escalate Alzheimer’s Onset

Research has shown that people with two APOE4 genes have a higher risk of Alzheimer’s disease.

The study, published in Nature Medicine, suggests that those with two APOE4 genes have a greater potential for developing Alzheimer’s disease and may exhibit symptoms at an earlier age.

Alzheimer’s disease, one of the most common types of dementia, is a degenerative brain disease known to cause cognitive decline. The cause of Alzheimer’s disease remains unclear, but it is known to involve the accumulation of abnormal proteins.

Experts emphasize the need to identify risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease and slow its progression through prevention as well as early diagnosis.

The researchers analyzed approximately 3,000 brains donated to the National Alzheimer’s Coordinating Center (NACC) in the U.S. and clinical data from nearly 10,000 people from three countries.

The researchers reported that about 95% of people with two APOE4 genes showed high levels of an abnormal beta-amyloid protein in their cerebrospinal fluid. Furthermore, 75% showed positive amyloid brain scans.

These research findings could have implications for Eisai’s recently approved Alzheimer’s treatment, Leqembi, and Biogen’s new drug that removes amyloid protein accumulated in the brain.

However, experts point out a clear limitation in the study: It mostly involved people of European ancestry. The research also stressed the need for more follow-up studies involving people of African descent.