By Lumos Labs Science Associate, Paul Li, MS Neuroscience.
There is some new evidence that Alzheimer’s disease is much more likely for people whose parents both have the neurodegenerative disorder than if only one parent has it. Researchers examined families in which both parents have Alzheimer’s, and found that their children ended up with the disease 42% of the time.
This finding supports the evidence that genes play an important role in determining whether you end up with Alzheimer’s. One of the genetic components responsible for the disease is known as the gene Apolipoprotein E (ApoE). Fortunately your genes do not entirely determine your fate. Your lifestyle is important too, and although we do not have control of our genetic makeup, we can control how we live. With the proper cognitive and physical exercise, brain food, and even attitude toward life, one can better buffer their brain from later years of cognitive decline and delay the risk of dementia.
The incidence of Alzheimer’s increases with age, and is typically diagnosed after the age of 65. By then, there’s not much you can do to slow the disease. So what can you do earlier to help your chances of preserving cognitive function? For me personally, I have been implementing some of the brain health tips on this blog, as well as training my brain with Lumosity, as part of my daily routine. This is not just to practice what I preach, but rather to address a concern I have when I constantly need to remind my parents about certain things, such as taking their meds. I’d rather start my cognitive training regimen early so that when I someday reach my parents’ age my brain will be in the best condition it can be.
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Parents also have a big effect on early brain evelopment. Often chidren look as dopey as their parents yet if the children visit someone else for a while they can take on a different look and approach. Similarly atttitudes to respect, aggression and food and drugs in a family or community would be expected to significantly change experiences and ongoing health.
This was a very interesting blog on Alzheimer’s. Would you happen to know of a web site that would explain the genetic component of this disease in detail? Thank you.
Here’s one: http://www.nia.nih.gov/Alzheimers/Publications/geneticsfs.htm
Mutations in some types of genes such as presenilin and APP genes may be the cause of Alzheimers disease.
This site is awesome. I just happened to stumble upon it. It so happens that my grandmother had Alzheimer’s disease and now my mother is showing signs of early dementia. I recently had brain surgery (for a myoepithelial tumor.
As a child of two victims of Alzheimer’s I am DETERMINED not to go that direction. I strongly believe every effort I make in the direction of keeping my brain fit, active, well nourished, etc. will help me in meeting my goal of staying “dialed in” well into my old age. Lumosity is part of my long-term plan!!
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[...] Genetic Component of Alzheimer’s Disease May 1, 2008 By Lumos Labs Science Associate, Paul Li, MS Neuroscience. There is some new evidence that Alzheimer’s disease is much more likely for people whose parents both have the neurodegenerative disorder than if only one parent has it. Researchers examined families in which both parents have Alzheimer’s, and found that their children ended up with the disease 42% of the time. This finding supports the evidence that genes play an important role in Alzheimers Test News [...]
[...] Brain Health reports on the Genetic Component of Alzheimer’s Disease: Researchers examined families in which both parents have Alzheimer’s, and found that their [...]
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