Alzheimer's Risk Gene Alters Brain Activity Early - But It May Be Reversible
ScienceAlert • • health
Key Points:
- Carrying one or two copies of the APOE4 gene variant significantly increases Alzheimer's risk by altering neuron activity in the hippocampus years before symptoms appear, as shown in a new study using young mice models.
- Researchers found that neurons in APOE4 mice were smaller and hyperactive, with the protein Nell2 playing a key role in this disruption, and blocking Nell2 reversed neuronal damage in adult mice.
- Unlike APOE4 mice, APOE3 mice showed increased neuronal activity only at old age and did not develop cognitive problems, highlighting the distinct impact of APOE4 on brain aging.
- This study is the first to directly examine APOE4's effect on neuron function across different ages, providing insights into early brain circuit changes that predict later cognitive decline.
- The findings suggest potential therapeutic windows to intervene by targeting Nell2, offering hope for treatments that could mitigate APOE4-related Alzheimer's progression before irreversible damage occurs.
