A New Mutation That Protects Against Alzheimer’s Disease
With an aging global population, Alzheimer’s disease is a growing healthcare burden. Maybe help lies in our genes.
Alzheimer genes
Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive brain condition associated with cognitive, memory, and behavioral problems. The disease is linked to plaques and tangles in the brain — protein clumps that appear to wreak havoc in the blob encased by our skulls.
There are genetic risk factors, and several genes seem to be involved. Perhaps the most well-known one is the gene APOE. One version of this gene, APOEε4, is associated with a significantly increased risk for Alzheimer’s.
However, this does not mean we’re powerless.
Several lifestyle factors can influence the risk for developing Alzheimer’s regardless of your genetic predisposition. Activity — both mental and physical — can reduce your risk. Physical exercise is good for you, including for your brain. But mental exercise matters too. Reading, writing, playing games, learning a new language, making music… All these activities seem to protect you against Alzheimer’s.
Diet matters as well. People who eat a Japanese or Mediterranean-styled diet, seem to have a lower…
