Alzheimer's Disease - Genetics and Life Style Factors

According to the National Institute on Aging, "Genetics In a very few families, people develop Alzheimer’s disease in their 30s, 40s, and 50s. Many of these people have a mutation, or permanent change, in one of three genes that they inherited from a parent. We know that these gene mutations cause Alzheimer’s in these “early-onset” familial cases. Not all early-onset cases are caused by such mutations.

Most people with Alzheimer’s disease have “late-onset” Alzheimer’s, which usually develops after age 60. Many studies have linked a gene called APOE to late-onset Alzheimer’s.

This gene has several forms. One of them, APOE ε4, increases a person’s risk of getting the disease.

About 40 percent of all people who develop late-onset Alzheimer’s carry this gene. However, carrying the APOE ε4 form of the gene does not necessarily mean that a person will develop Alzheimer’s disease, and people carrying no APOE ε4 forms can also develop the disease.

Most experts believe that additional genes may influence the development of late-onset Alzheimer’s in some way.

Scientists around the world are searching for these genes. Researchers have identified variants of the SORL1, CLU, PICALM, and CR1 genes that may play a role in risk of late-onset Alzheimer’s.

For more about this area of research, see the Alzheimer’s Disease Genetics Fact Sheet, available at www.nia.nih.gov/Alzheimers/Publications/geneticsfs.htm.

Lifestyle Factors
A nutritious diet, physical activity, social engagement, and mentally stimulating pursuits can all help people stay healthy.

New research suggests the possibility that these factors also might help to reduce the risk of cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s disease.

Scientists are investigating associations between cognitive decline and vascular and metabolic conditions such as heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, diabetes, and obesity.

Understanding these relationships and testing them in clinical trials will help us understand whether reducing risk factors for these diseases may help with Alzheimer’s as well."

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How is Alzheimer's Disease Diagnosed?

How is Alzheimer’s Disease Diagnosed?


According to the National Institute on Aging, "Alzheimer’s disease can be definitively diagnosed only after death by linking clinical course with an examination of brain tissue and pathology in an autopsy.

But doctors now have several methods and tools to help them determine fairly accurately whether a person who is having memory problems has “possible Alzheimer’s disease” (dementia may be due to another cause) or “probable Alzheimer’s disease” (no other cause for dementia can be found). To diagnose Alzheimer’s, doctors:

•ask questions about the person’s overall health, past medical problems, ability to carry out daily activities, and changes in behavior and personality
•conduct tests of memory, problem solving, attention, counting, and language
•carry out medical tests, such as tests of blood, urine, or spinal fluid
•perform brain scans, such as computerized tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
These tests may be repeated to give doctors information about how the person’s memory is changing over time.

Early diagnosis is beneficial for several reasons. Having an early diagnosis and starting treatment in the early stages of the disease can help preserve function for months to years, even though the underlying disease process cannot be changed. Having an early diagnosis also helps families plan for the future, make living arrangements, take care of financial and legal matters, and develop support networks.

In addition, an early diagnosis can provide greater opportunities for people to get involved in clinical trials. In a clinical trial, scientists test drugs or treatments to see which are most effective and for whom they work best. "

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How is Alzheimer's Disease Treated?

How is Alzheimer’s Disease Treated?

According to the National Institute on Aging, "Alzheimer’s disease is a complex disease, and no single “magic bullet” is likely to prevent or cure it. That’s why current treatments focus on several different aspects, including helping people maintain mental function; managing behavioral symptoms; and slowing, delaying, or preventing the disease.

Helping People with Alzheimer’s Maintain Mental Function

Four medications are approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat Alzheimer’s. Donepezil (Aricept®), rivastigmine (Exelon®), and galantamine (Razadyne®) are used to treat mild to moderate Alzheimer’s (donepezil can be used for severe Alzheimer’s as well).

Memantine (Namenda®) is used to treat moderate to severe Alzheimer’s.

These drugs work by regulating neurotransmitters (the chemicals that transmit messages between neurons).

They may help maintain thinking, memory, and speaking skills, and help with certain behavioral problems. However, these drugs don’t change the underlying disease process and may help only for a few months to a few years."

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