Alzheimer’s gene variant may influence toxic protein spread in ALS
WHY IT MATTERS
If you have ALS and carry the APOE4 variant, this research suggests you may experience different patterns of disease progression, which could eventually help doctors predict outcomes and tailor treatment approaches for individual patients.
Scientists discovered that people with ALS who carry a specific gene variant called APOE4 (known to increase Alzheimer's risk) are more likely to have toxic protein clumps spread to more areas of their brain. This suggests the same gene may affect how disease progresses differently in ALS patients. The finding could help doctors better understand why ALS affects people differently.
The APOE4 gene variant, an established genetic risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease, may also influence how toxic TDP-43 protein clumps spread in people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a study suggested. Researchers found that people with ALS who carried the variant were significantly more likely to show TDP-43 clumps extending beyond movement-related areas of the […] The post Alzheimer’s gene variant may influence toxic protein spread in ALS appeared first on ALS News
ASK YOUR DOCTOR
Ask your neurologist whether genetic testing for APOE4 status might be relevant to understanding your ALS progression and whether this research applies to your care plan.