Chris is taking a break from acting after learning he has two copies of the APOE4 gene, which increases his risk of Alzheimer's.
If you have one copy of the APOE4 gene, you are more likely to get Alzheimer's. It increases your risk by at least 10 times.
The key is risk. Chris doesn't know if he will go on to develop Alzheimer's if he has more than one copy of the genes.
He was willing to share his concern about Alzheimer's with millions of people. It's a reminder that we need to keep an eye on our health.
Alzheimer's and dementia are going to challenge healthcare systems around the world.
There are over one million people with dementia in Australia. 450 people will be diagnosed a day by 2036.
Understanding how the major cause of dementia is altered by APOE4 may be important in preventing cases.
Some people with the APOE4 genes don't develop Alzheimer's. Some people develop Alzheimer's while others don't, and there may be a combination of environmental factors that play a role.
The majority of Australians have at least one of the two genes. It's only about 15 percent in Caucasians, which is why it's such a big deal for the actor.
The role of the ApoE genes in regulating the metabolism of fat is well known.
There are subtle differences in the structure of the different versions of the ApoE. The lipoproteins in the blood are made up of the ApoE proteins. The particles are used by your GP to consider your risk of heart disease.
The brain has a similar function to that of the apoe. Researchers are studying it for its effect on the integrity of brain cells.
Evidence shows that APOE4 is associated with brain inflammation.
This is the first thing. Make sure your capillaries are well looked after.
Inflammation, the death of brain cells, and cognitive impairment are caused by damaged and leaking blood vessels in the brain. The earliest sign of brain damage in Alzheimer's is damaged capillaries.
The healthy capillaries in the brain may not be supported by the ApoE4 gene. We suggested that APOE4 causes brain capillaries to leak by increasing the amount of lipoproteins andProteins in blood.
There are more brain capillary leaks in mice fed Western-style diet.
The relationship between human capillary health and the APOE proteins is not well understood.
With 60 years of research knowledge, we know that eating foods that are good for the heart should also help the brain. It's relevant to people with the APOE4 genes.
A healthy diet is a good way to reduce your risk of Alzheimer's.
There are two It's time to give your brain a rest.
Over decades of your life, reducing unnecessary stimuli may have a big impact. If you have the APOE4 gene, you should consider the latter.
The APOE gene is linked to how the brain uses energy, which could lead to more damage.
If you can, take a digital cleanse, plan some downtime, and avoid unnecessary stress, as we haven't yet collected robust data in humans.
If you have a family history of Alzheimer's, you may be tempted to get tested for the APOE4 gene.
If genetic testing is going to change your treatment, for instance, by taking certain medications to slow progression of brain damage, or your behavior to reduce your risk of Alzheimer's, then testing is not justified.
We can change the environment that our parents gave us.
Poor diet, high blood pressure, and sedentary behavior all increase your risk of dementia over time.
The risk factors for Alzheimer's are still being learned about. Even if we don't have the APOE4 gene, we still need to take greater responsibility for decreasing our risk of dementia.
John Mamo is the director of the health innovation research institute at the university.
Under a Creative Commons license, this article is re-posted. The original article is worth a read.
All Rights Reserved © 2024
