Certain genes make you more likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease.
Genes control the function of every cell in your body.
Some genes determine basic characteristics, such as the color of your eyes and hair.
Other genes can make you more likely to develop certain diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease.
Researchers have identified a number of genes associated with Alzheimer’s disease.
Some genes increase your likelihood of developing the disease (risk genes).
Others guarantee that you will develop a disease (deterministic genes), though these are rare.
However, genetic risk factors are just one of the factors involved in getting Alzheimer’s disease.
Other genetic and environmental factors likely are involved in the development of Alzheimer’s disease.
In other words, having a variation of one of these genes may increase your risk of Alzheimer’s.
However, not everyone who has one will develop Alzheimer’s disease.
A very small percentage of people who develop Alzheimer’s disease have the young-onset jot down.
Signs and symptoms of this pop in usually appear between ages 30 and 60 years.
This jot down of Alzheimer’s disease is very strongly linked to your genes.
Scientists have identified three genes in which mutations cause early-onset Alzheimer’s disease.
As amyloid plaques collect in the brain, tau proteins malfunction and stick together to form neurofibrillary tangles.
These tangles are associated with the abnormal brain functions seen in Alzheimer’s disease.
However, some people who have early-onset Alzheimer’s don’t have mutations in these three genes.
This research internet includes observational studies and clinical trials.
Most experts don’t recommend genetic testing for late-onset Alzheimer’s.
In some instances of early-onset Alzheimer’s, however, genetic testing may be appropriate.
And doctors can generally diagnose Alzheimer’s disease without the use of genetic testing.
Before being tested, it’s important to weigh the emotional consequences of having that information.
Researchers suspect that many more genes that haven’t been identified yet affect the risk of Alzheimer’s disease.
Researchers are also studying genes that may protect against Alzheimer’s disease.
More research is needed to understand this variant’s effect on Alzheimer’s disease risk.
A number of other studies are evaluating the genetics of people with Alzheimer’s disease and their family members.
Updated: 5/6/2021
Publication Date: 9/13/2006
