The APOE gene—coding for a protein involved in lipid transport and implicated in the clearance of amyloid-beta, one of the proteins that builds up in the brain in Alzheimer’s disease—exists in three allelic forms: E4, E3, and E2. Researchers have strong evidence that the presence of E4 constitutes a risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease.
The role of E2, however, is less clear. A new study led by a Boston University School of Public Health (BUSPH) researcher and published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, shows evidence that the E2 gene is associated with a slower rate of cognitive decline with age.
“A lot of attention is paid to…
