About Dementia
Alzheimer's Disease

APOE

The APOE gene has been linked to an increased risk of developing late-onset Alzheimer's disease . The APOE gene codes for a protein that helps to carry cholesterol in the blood and the gene is found on chromosome 19. 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.

See Also:
About Dementia > Alzheimer's Disease > Early Onset versus Late Onset
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Last updated August 30, 2007
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