Genetic factor in the development of Alzheimer's disease

News 03/12/2020

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), there are about 50 million people with dementiaworldwide . Every year, there are about 10 million new cases of the disease. The most common type of dementia is Alzheimer's disease — a deadly form of dementia — which accounts for 60-70% of all cases.

Researchers at Case Western University School of Medicine (USA) reported in late January 2020 that they had identified a previously unknown gene and an associated protein, the inhibition of which may help slow the progression of Alzheimer's disease.

The researchers compared about a million genetic markers — single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) - with images of the brains of patients suffering from this disease. They found a specific SNP in the FAM222 gene that was associated with the development of atrophy in certain regions of the central nervous system. It turned out that a protein encoded by FAM222, called aggregatin, can attach to amyloid beta-peptide, the main component of large deposits in the nervous tissue — amyloid plaques — and promotes the formation of protein aggregates.

When the mice were injected with aggregatin, they accelerated the formation of plaques in the brain, increased inflammation of nerve tissues and impaired cognitive function. The suppression of the protein activity led to an improvement in the rodents ' condition.

Research results have shown that reducing the level of this protein and slowing its interaction with amyloid beta-peptide can potentially, if not prevent the development of a deadly and common form of dementia, then at least slow the progression of the disease.

According to Rospotrebnadzor, Alzheimer's disease is a complex disease with multiple risk factors. Factors such as age and genetic predisposition (about 70% of cases) are beyond our control.

However, there are a few healthy lifestyle principlesthat can be controlled:

• regular exercise;
• social activity;
• regular mental activity;
• full sleep;
• ability to cope with stress.

One in three cases of Alzheimer's disease can be prevented through lifestyle changes. Even a moderate amount of physical activity can help slow the progression of one of the worst diseases of aging.

Be attentive to yourself, take care of your health!

#Переведено YandexTranslate