One APOE variant triggers Alzheimer's. Another may help treat it

The APOE gene’s link to Alzheimer’s has been long established, but scientists are now realizing how potent different variants might be.

It's APOE4 that dramatically increases a person’s likelihood of developing the disease. Another variant, however, lowers a person’s risk of developing Alzheimer’s by a stunning 99.6%, according to a new paper that’s been submitted for publication. 

Finding new therapies that mimic the Alzheimer’s-protective form of APOE may help keep the brain safer from the neurodegenerative disease, STAT’s Sharon Begley writes.

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