Does someone in your family, perhaps your mother, father, or grandmother, grandfather, have Alzheimer's disease? When that happens, it's very common to feel a lot of fear and anxiety, wondering, "Oh, will I get this disease too?", "Is this something that runs in the family?" Scientists are still trying to figure out the exact cause of Alzheimer's disease. But one thing is clear, and that is that this disease has a connection to our genes. So today, let's talk about the connection between Alzheimer's disease and our genes.
Let's first see, what are these genes?
Simply put, genes are the blueprints that build and control our bodies. Just like the blueprints that you draw before building a house. Not only do your eye color and hair texture determine your susceptibility to certain diseases, but they also determine your susceptibility to certain diseases.
We get these genes from our parents. They are stored in things called chromosomes inside the cells of our body. A healthy person has 23 pairs of these chromosomes, or 46 in total. Usually, we get one from each pair, one from our mother and one from our father. So that's how we get our parents' traits.
Late-Onset Alzheimer's and genes
When it comes to Alzheimer's disease, there are two main types. One is the most common type, which usually occurs after the age of 65. This is called Late-Onset Alzheimer's.
Researchers have discovered a gene that increases the risk of developing this type of Alzheimer's disease. It is located on our chromosome 19. This gene is called the APOE gene . There are different variants of this APOE gene. Among them, a person with the variant called APOE4 has a slightly higher risk of developing Alzheimer's disease than others. This has been confirmed by many studies conducted around the world.
But here's something you need to understand. Not everyone who has the APOE4 gene will develop Alzheimer's. Also, people who don't have this gene can also develop the disease. That means this is only a risk factor, and there is no 100% guarantee that you will develop the disease.
Let's talk about Early-Onset Alzheimer's
This is the other type of Alzheimer's disease. It is very rare. In this case, symptoms appear at a young age, such as in the 30s, 40s, or 50s . Because it often affects several members of a family, it is also called early-onset familial Alzheimer's disease.
Researchers who have examined the DNA of such families have found that they have certain changes in the genes on chromosomes 1, 14, and 21. These changes in genes are what cause them to develop the disease at a young age.
Down syndrome and Alzheimer's
Here we need to talk specifically about chromosome 21. You may have heard of a condition called Down syndrome. They have an extra copy of chromosome 21 than the average person. Surprisingly, as people with Down syndrome age, many of them develop Alzheimer's disease. Their brain cells also show the same damage that is seen in Alzheimer's patients. Scientists are still researching the connection between these two conditions.
The table below can explain these two types of Alzheimer's to you more.
| Alzheimer's Type | Affected Age | Genetic Link |
|---|---|---|
| Late-onset Alzheimer's (Late-Onset Alzheimer's) | After 65 years (mostly) | The APOE4 gene increases the risk, but it is not the only cause. |
| Alzheimer's disease at a young age (Early-Onset Alzheimer's) | Before 65 years of age (rare) | There is a strong hereditary link caused by variations in genes on chromosomes 1, 14, and 21. |
Is genetic testing performed for Alzheimer's disease?
This is a question that many people have. Yes, a blood sample can tell you which APOE gene variant you have. But the results of that test don't necessarily tell you whether you will develop Alzheimer's or not. That's why these tests are mostly used for research purposes.
Doctors generally do not recommend genetic testing for late-onset Alzheimer's disease. This is because the results can be unduly stressful and depressing. Imagine if you found out you had the APOE4 gene, and you could avoid developing the disease, but you would still live in fear. That's not a good thing.
However, if several members of your family have had the disease at a young age and you are experiencing similar symptoms, your doctor may recommend this type of test to confirm early-onset Alzheimer's. However, keep in mind that in many cases, a doctor can diagnose Alzheimer's without genetic testing.
What benefits do we get from research on these genes?
Scientists believe that there may be many more genes involved in Alzheimer's disease. Finding these genes will provide us with several great benefits in the future.
- Better understanding of the disease: This research helps us understand why some people develop this disease and why it affects different people in different ways.
- Identifying those at high risk: If people who are at high risk of developing the disease are identified early, they can be given the necessary advice and treatment to prevent the disease.
- New treatments can be developed: Knowing exactly what genes cause the disease makes it easier for researchers to find new, effective drugs that target them.
So, genes are only one piece of the complex puzzle that is Alzheimer's. Many things affect it, such as our lifestyle, what we eat, and environmental influences.
Take-Home Message
- Although Alzheimer's disease has a genetic influence, it is not the only cause. Your lifestyle and environment also play a role.
- Just because you have a gene that increases your risk of a disease (e.g. APOE4) doesn't mean you will definitely develop the disease.
- Although there is a strong genetic link to young-onset Alzheimer's disease, it is a very rare condition.
- Genetic testing is not generally recommended for the diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease, which occurs with age.
- If you have any fears, doubts, or questions about this, the best person to talk to about it is your family doctor.
💬 අදහස් (0)
තවමත් කිසිදු අදහසක් පළ කර නොමැත. ඔබේ අදහස පළමු වරට මෙහි එක් කරන්න.
ඔබේ අදහස එක් කරන්න