Beyond Increased Risk: Is APOE4 a Direct Cause of Alzheimer's disease?

A new study suggests that having two copies of the APOE4 gene may be the genetic cause of up to one fifth of all Alzheimer's disease cases. The study found that individuals with two copies of the APOE4 gene had higher levels of Alzheimer's disease biomarkers and developed symptoms of the disease by age 65. The findings indicate that APOE4 may not just be a risk factor for Alzheimer's disease, but also a distinct genetic form of the disease. The study recommends more widespread testing for APOE4 and may lead to advancements in drug development and Alzheimer's disease prevention. However, some experts urge caution in interpreting the results and emphasize that having two copies of the APOE4 gene does not guarantee the development of Alzheimer's disease. [Extracted from the article]