Stanford Neurologist: Women With Specific Gene Variant are Twice as Likely to Develop Alzheimer’s

Human DNA Is a complex and wonderful thing. Although we all share common similarities in our DNA, no DNA (not even that of identical twins) is exactly the same. DNA helps to make up chromosomes, which play a key role in making up who an individual is. Thanks to recent study, Researchers have found a probable link between the XX chromosome and an increased chance of developing Alzheimer’s

What Is Alzheimer’s?

There is a bit of confusion as to what Alzheimer’s actually is. Thank so to the majority of popular media; many of us seem to think Alzheimer’s is a slow moving (somewhat comedic) disease. In reality, Alzheimer’s is a crippling mental disease that affects not only those suffering directly from it, but also greatly impacts the loved ones of these ill individuals.

Alzheimer’s disease is one of the most common forms of dementia, accounting for more than half of all dementia cases. Alzheimer’s can best be described as a mental deterioration caused by the degradation of the brain.

Alzheimer’s is known to affect the senior demographic, but, there have been reported cases of Alzheimer’s affecting individuals in the middle-aged adult demographic as well.

Why Are Woman At A Higher Risk?

According to recent research about 2/3 of Americans suffering from Alzheimer’s disease are women. Many may question why women are more likely to suffer from Alzheimer’s in comparison to men, and for each of those questions there are just as many probable answers.

Menopause

According to University of Southern California professor Roberta Diaz Brinton, menopause might be a significant factor as to why women are more likely to suffer from Alzheimer’s than men. Researchers have found some evidence that once Alzheimer’s is diagnosed, a women’s condition may worsen faster than a man’s.

This because scans have shown that there is more rapid shrinkage of certain brain areas in women than men at this particular time.

Age

Another probable cause of why women are more likely to suffer from Alzheimer’s is age. According to A recent Alzheimer’s Association report, it is estimated that at age 65, women have about a 1 in 6 chance of developing Alzheimer’s during the rest of their lives, compared to men who have a 1 in 11 chance.

It would seem that age and hormonal changes such as menopause can play a significant role in the development of Alzheimer’s in women. However, according to University of SouthernCalifornia researchers a specific gene known as ApoE-4, long known to increase Alzheimer’s risk, might be the real reason as to why women are more likely to suffer from Alzheimer’s.

According to Stanford’s Dr. Michael Greicius Women who carry a copy of the ApoE-4 gene variant are about twice as likely to eventually develop Alzheimer’s as women without the gene. While men who carry the gene risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease was only slightly increased.

Unfortunately, there is no one clear answer as to why women are more likely to suffer from Alzheimer’s than men. However, this new research data has narrowed down the possible factors that contribute to women suffering from Alzheimer’s at an early age. It is clear that more research will need to be conducted to find a final answer and possible cure.