A groundbreaking study from Mass General Brigham indicates that the risk of Alzheimer’s disease, including its genetically-determined forms, is not solely dictated by genetics.
The research, published in Nature Communications, investigates how genetics and education levels impact cognitive decline in individuals at risk for early-onset Alzheimer’s disease.
The Genetic Angle
Researchers looked into data from 675 people carrying a PSEN1 E280A mutation, which predisposes them to develop early-onset Alzheimer’s disease, typically around the median age of 49.
They discovered that carriers with an additional APOE e4 mutation faced an even faster age of onset, while carriers with a protective APOE e2 mutation had a delayed onset.
The Role of Education
Interestingly, the study also revealed that higher educational attainment was linked to preserved cognitive ability, even among those with significant genetic risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease.
Cognitive Reserve: A Protective Mechanism
“Higher educational attainment may act as a critical mechanism of cognitive reserve, providing a protective effect against cognitive impairment despite the presence of strong genetic risk factors,” said Yakeel Quiroz Ph.D., the study’s corresponding author and director of the Familial Dementia Neuroimaging Lab at Massachusetts General Hospital.
The study was a joint effort involving researchers from multiple institutions including Massachusetts General Hospital, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Mass Eye and Ear, along with other national and international collaborators.
This study suggests that intervention strategies like enhancing educational opportunities might offer a feasible approach to delay or even counteract cognitive decline, particularly for those at high genetic risk for Alzheimer’s disease.
Takeaway
While genetics play a role in the risk for Alzheimer’s, factors like education can significantly impact cognitive health.
Therefore, it may be beneficial to focus on educational attainment and other lifestyle factors to build up cognitive reserve, even when genetic predispositions are unavoidable.
The research not only adds another layer to our understanding of Alzheimer’s disease but also points to actionable pathways that can help individuals mitigate risk and maintain cognitive function longer, even when faced with genetic disadvantages.
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The study was published in Nature Communications.
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