WHO official statements or policy documents

Study: APOE4 Variant Causes Genetic Alzheimer's in Individuals Over 65

May 6, 2024, 06:30 PM

Recent research has identified a distinct genetic form of Alzheimer's disease linked to individuals over 65 possessing two copies of the APOE4 gene variant. This discovery, reported in Nature Medicine, suggests that the presence of the APOE4 homozygosity results in nearly 100% penetrance, meaning individuals with this genetic makeup are almost certain to develop Alzheimer's, exhibiting biological signs such as abnormal amyloid levels. The findings underscore the importance of early diagnosis and treatment for those with the APOE4 variant, as it shifts the understanding of APOE4 from merely a risk factor to a direct cause of this form of the disease.