(CNN)Scientists have identified genes that appear to increase the risk of Alzheimer's disease in women, and why more women Being diagnosed with illness than men who are providing potential new clues as to what they are. The
gene O6-methylguanine-DNA-methyltransferase (MGMT) plays an important role in the way the body repairs damage to DNA in both men and women. However, researchers did not find a link between male MGMT and Alzheimer's disease.
"This is a female-specific finding and perhaps one of the strongest associations of genetic risk factors for Alzheimer's disease in women," said Senior Director of Biomedical Genetics, Boston University School of Medicine. Research co-author Lindsay Farrer said.
"Women suffer from this disease because of unique genetic risk factors such as APOEε4 and MGMT, and gender-specific risk factors such as the sudden decrease in estrogen during the perimenopausal transition. May be on a shortcut, while the man is sitting in the traffic, "said Dr. Richard Isaacson, director of the Alzheimer Prevention Clinic at Schmidt Medical College at the University of Florida Atlantic, who was not involved in the study. The
APOEε4 gene is considered to be the most potent risk factor for the future development of Alzheimer's disease in people over the age of 65. This "especially applies to women affected by APOEε4 rather than men," Isaacson said.
However, many women with APOEε4 do not develop Alzheimer's disease, but women without the gene can still develop Alzheimer's disease.
"MGMT is probably an important missing part of the risk prediction puzzle for these women, but more research is needed," says Isaacson.
Lucky discovery
The discovery of the existence of a new gene was made in two completely separate groups of people. A team of researchers at the University of Chicago analyzed the genetic makeup of a small group of Hutterian Brethren women living together in the countryside of Montana and South Dakota. The Hutterites are a closed population that dating within their class and holds extensive genealogical records, making them an excellent choice for genetic research.
"The relatively uniform environment of the Hutterites and the reduction of genetic variation enhances the ability to find associations with a smaller sample size than required for general population studies," said the senior study. Co-author Carol Over said. The University of Chicago, in a statement.
When a new association with MGMT appears in her analysis, Ober contacts Farrer in Boston to see if it helps reproduce her findings. Did.
"I told her that our analysis found the exact same gene," Farrer said. "Two different studies were started independently of each other and serendipity discovered the same gene, which gives us great confidence that the discovery is certain."
APOE Risk Factors for Women Without ε4
The research team compared the findings to autopsy male brain tissue and found that there was no association between the male MGMT gene and Alzheimer's disease. I found. ..
When investigating MGMT via epigenetics that occurs when genes are switched on or off by behavioral or environmental factors, researchers found that their expression in women is beta-amyloid and tau development. I found that it was significantly related to. A protein that is characteristic of Alzheimer's disease.
The association between MGMT and amyloid plaques and tau tangles was "most prominent in women without APOE ε4," Farrer said.
"There are many routes to Alzheimer's disease. There are lipid or cholesterol pathways, which are now well established in Alzheimer's disease, andand APOEε4 are some of them." Said Farrer. ..
"And there are inflammatory pathways that are common to all chronic diseases. MGMT may be looking at additional pathways that are somehow related to DNA repair, or MGMT may be looking at these. You may be participating in one of the other routes and no one is participating. We still know how to do it, "Faller added.
Personalized medicine
Experts advise that women should work with doctors to identify which path they are taking. increase.
Women need to control cholesterol, blood sugar and blood pressure to reduce their risk of dementia There is, experts say.
Interventions include keeping blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar levels in a healthy range, "considering hormone replacement therapy as needed, and the brain. To advocate a healthy lifestyle for people. " Includes regular exercise, a Mediterranean diet, proper sleep and stress-relieving techniques. "
In the near future, scientists will be able to provide more personalized medicine to women, a neurologist at the Alzheimer's Prevention Clinic at Weil Cornell Medicine, and not involved in the New York Elders Church. Dr. Kerian Niotis said. the study.
"Provide women at risk with more advanced assessments, such as comprehensive genetic testing in the clinic, to better assess risk and individual risks for optimal brain protection. We will be able to develop mitigation plans, "said Niotis. ..
