APOE4 effects may be seen as young as childhood

Written by Alice Weatherston

APOE4, the key gene linked with an increased risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease, may begin having effects on the brain as early as childhood, a new study has revealed. Individuals with the APOE4 variant are more likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease in later life than individuals with the two other variants of the gene, APOE2 and APOE3. The study included 1187 children of 3–20 years of age that had no signs of brain disorders. All participants underwent genetic tests and brain scans, as well as tests of memory and thinking skills. Findings highlighted that all children with any form of...

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