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Alzheimer's Gene Study
Reviewed By:
Varnada Karriem-Norwood,
SOURCES: 2010 Medical Reference from Medstar Television. Richard Caselli, MD, Neurologist/Clinical Core Director, Arizona Alzheimer's Disease Center, Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale, Ariz.
© 1999-2011 Medstar Television
Narrator:
Mary Helen Flanagan sees happy memories in these family photos. But there's one thing she and her family didn't see ... The signs of her mother's Alzheimer's.
Mary Helen Flanagan, Study Participant:
My mother had Alzheimer's for fourteen years and the last five years she didn't know anyone.
Narrator:
Mary Helen doesn't want other families to go through this… so she's taking part in an alzheimer's study at The Mayo Clinic.
Richard Caselli, MD, Neurologist, Mayo Clinic, Arizona:
I'd like you to draw me a picture.
Narrator:
The study is looking at a gene called A-P-O-E. Everyone carries this gene, but it's the E-4 variant that the team is most interested in.
Richard Caselli, MD, Neurologist, Mayo Clinic, Arizona:
The APOE4 version is what increases our risk for Alzheimer's. You can either have two copies, one copy or no copies of that APOE4 gene.
Narrator:
14 years into this long term study, participants memories and ability to learn will be tested. Already, there's been an important discovery.
Richard Caselli, MD, Neurologist, Mayo Clinic, Arizona:
In our mid-fifties to late fifties, we start to see a drop off in memory skills of people who carry this APOE4 gene, compared to people who don't.
Narrator:
Doctor Richard Caselli says this early age finding was unexpected. And even though there isn't an effective intervention right now, having an early clue is crucial.
Richard Caselli, MD, Neurologist, Mayo Clinic, Arizona:
While it's still important to study the 80 year old with Alzheimer's disease. It's actually more important than we may have previously appreciated to study the 50 year old.
Narrator:
Now that we know earlier memory decline can be an indicator… What should we do?
Richard Caselli, MD, Neurologist, Mayo Clinic, Arizona:
Eat a good diet, get enough exercise, get enough rest, keep your mind active.
Narrator:
A prescription that everyone who wants to stay healthy should keep in mind. For WebMD, I'm Sandee LaMotte.
