‘Longevity gene’ may protect the brain from Alzheimer’s by boosting DNA repair, study finds
Caghan Kizil, PhD, an associate professor of neurological sciences at Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, recently received a $500,000 grant from the American Brain Foundation to fund research related to the APOE4 gene.
“This study goes beyond the long-known observation that APOE2 is linked to longevity and a lower risk of Alzheimer’s disease and aims to explain why this protection may happen,” Kizil, who also did not work on the study, told Fox News Digital.
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Kizil agreed that the findings may help explain why some brains stay healthy longer than others, and how natural protective mechanisms may support longer-lasting brain health.
“What I find especially interesting is the idea that Alzheimer’s may partly reflect the brain losing its ability to stay resilient with age,” he said. “Growing evidence in the field suggests that APOE-related risk is not only about amyloid buildup, but also about how aging, inflammation, blood vessel health and the brain’s repair systems work together over time.”
Future research could explore what makes some brains naturally more resilient, and whether those protective mechanisms could be harnessed to help people who carry higher-risk genes like APOE4. (iStock)
Future research could explore what makes some brains naturally more resilient, and whether those protective mechanisms could be harnessed to help people who carry higher-risk genes like APOE4, according to Weber.
“In other words, the long-term goal is to help vulnerable brains age more like resilient brains,” he added. “We believe the future of Alzheimer’s research lies in preventing at-risk individuals from becoming diseased in the first place.”
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There were some limitations to the new study, the researchers noted – primarily that it was not conducted in living patients.
“Our laboratory study in human iPSC-derived neurons and mice describes a biological mechanism and not a clinical treatment,” Ellerby told Fox News Digital. “The precise molecular mechanism by which APOE2 stabilizes the nucleus and supports repair still needs to be fully worked out.”
The researcher cautioned that people shouldn’t make changes to their lifestyle behaviors based on this study alone, and that they would not recommend undergoing genetic testing for APOE purely for longevity. (iStock)
The researcher cautioned that people shouldn’t make changes to their lifestyle behaviors based on this study alone, and that they would not recommend undergoing genetic testing for APOE purely for longevity.
“The results are complex and difficult,” Ellerby noted. “The broader message is that supporting your brain’s DNA repair and slowing cellular senescence are good for you.”
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Some healthy ways to accomplish this include exercising, getting optimal sleep, optimizing cardiovascular health and avoiding “genotoxic” exposures like smoking.
“These are all super beneficial to your health, regardless of your APOE variant,” the researcher added.
Melissa Rudy is senior health editor and a member of the lifestyle team at Fox News Digital. Story tips can be sent to melissa.rudy@fox.com.
Article source: https://www.foxnews.com/health/longevity-gene-may-protect-brain-alzheimers-boosting-dna-repair-study-finds