Gene variant APOE4 linked to blood vessel scarring in Alzheimer study

Researchers reported in the journal Cell on September 24 that the APOE4 gene variant influences the production of scar tissue around blood vessels in the brain, Science News reported. The gene variant appears to alter cells that support these vascular connections, providing a potential explanation for how the gene increases disease risk. [1]

The gene APOE4 is established as the strongest common genetic risk factor for Alzheimer's disease, according to Science News. However, the precise biological mechanisms by which the variant makes the brain vulnerable to neurodegeneration have remained unclear to scientists. [1]

The findings suggest that the formation of scar tissue throughout vital vascular connections carrying blood to and from the brain may also contribute to damaging accumulations, Science News reported. Alzheimer's disease is a progressive neurodegenerative condition that serves as the most common cause of dementia, accounting for roughly 60 to 70 percent of all cases. [1][2]

Early symptoms of Alzheimer's disease typically involve difficulty in remembering recent events, while later stages bring language problems, disorientation, and the loss of bodily functions. Further research will be needed to clarify how blood vessel scarring interacts with other known markers of the disease. [1][2]