> The proteins were traditionally thought to be garbage that accumulates in the brain with age.
OK, but now:
> Not everyone who has had a brain infection develops Alzheimer’s, though. Why would some be more vulnerable than others? According to the new theory, it probably has to do with the brain’s ability to clear out the balls of beta amyloid after they have killed microbes, Dr. Tanzi said. For example, it is known that people with a gene called ApoE2 have brains that are good at sweeping out plaque, and have a low risk of Alzheimer’s in old age. Those with a different version, ApoE4, are inefficient in removing plaque and have a high risk of Alzheimer’s.
"Clearing out" seems a lot like getting rid of garbage ;)
As I understood from a BBC documentary last night, ApoE3 is considered the baseline as it's most prevalent. Having ApoE2 decreases the risk of Alzheimer's, while ApoE4 increases it.
Yes, there's work being done on developing immunological treatments for Alzheimer's. Work in animal models has been promising, but a viable treatment for humans is still a ways off.
OK, but now:
> Not everyone who has had a brain infection develops Alzheimer’s, though. Why would some be more vulnerable than others? According to the new theory, it probably has to do with the brain’s ability to clear out the balls of beta amyloid after they have killed microbes, Dr. Tanzi said. For example, it is known that people with a gene called ApoE2 have brains that are good at sweeping out plaque, and have a low risk of Alzheimer’s in old age. Those with a different version, ApoE4, are inefficient in removing plaque and have a high risk of Alzheimer’s.
"Clearing out" seems a lot like getting rid of garbage ;)