Alzheimer's Disease

The Apolipoprotein E (APOE APOE
A protein whose main function is to transport cholesterol. The gene for this protein is on chromosome 19 and is referred to as APOE. The three most common forms of APOE are: e2, e3, and e4.) gene Gene
A sequence of DNA on a chromosome. Genes tell the body to make certain proteins and these proteins direct the operation of almost every part of our body., found on chromosome Chromosome
An H-shaped structure inside the cell nucleus made up of tightly coiled strands of genes. Each chromosome is numbered (in humans, 1-46). 19, is one risk factor Risk factor
Factors that have been shown to increase one’s odds of developing a disease. In Alzheimer’s disease, the only established risk factors are age, family history, and genetics. that appears to increase a person's chance of developing late-onset Alzheimer's disease Alzheimer's disease
A neurological disease that affects memory and behaviour. It is characterized by beta-amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles in the brain. There is no known cause but genetics and lifestyle are thought to play a role.. The APOE gene codes for a protein that helps to carry cholesterol Cholesterol
A type of fat which occurs naturally in our bodies and is also found in animal fat. in the blood.

The APOE gene comes in several different forms. The three that are the most common are APOE 2, APOE 3 and APOE 4. Studies have found that people who have inherited the APOE 4 form of the gene are at an increased risk for developing Alzheimer's disease. The APOE 3 form of the gene is the most common, and is found in more than half of the population. A rarer type of the APOE gene is APOE 2 and it has been associated with a lower risk of Alzheimer's disease.