by Gary Allen

Created on: January 19, 2009   Last Updated: March 24, 2009

Even though the cause of Alzheimer's disease is still a secret. Researchers continue to focus their attention on three possible causes of the disease, age, genetics, and the impact of lifestyles.

Age:
By itself, age is not a cause of the disease. But if a person is living with some type of gene mutation linked to Alzheimer's, then the odds of developing Alzheimer's increases with age. The disease can be found in two age classes; early-onset, when the victim is attacked under the age of sixty-five, and late-onset, over the age of sixty-five.

Genes:
Genes are like the line manager of a production line. The manager receives instructions from the boss, (DNA). He then tells the workers, (molecules) how to build the final product, (protein) that in turn will be used by the end-use consumer, (the body). Problems arise when the instructions are changed, altering the product delivered to the consumer. If the product is incorrectly assembled, the body can't properly use or dispose of it. Then the product is stored in the wrong place and disrupts the normal operation.

APP Gene:
The APP gene provides detailed instructions for the manufacture of Amyloid Precursor Protein. If this gene issues faulty instructions, it begins to build smaller blocks of sticky protein (Beta-Amyloid) that can't be dissolved. These protein fragments then clump together and are known as plaque. The dumping ground for this form of plaque is between nerve cells. Some scientists believe these plaque accumulations are a possible cause of Alzheimer's.
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Pre senility genes 1 and 2:
Researchers don't know the role of PS 1 and 2 in a healthy body. However, when mutated, it is suspected they lead the APP gene to increase its production of Beta-Amyloid.

PS-1:
It is common for mutations in the PS 1 gene to lead to Alzheimer's at an early age, as early as 29

PS 2:
Mutations in this gene might lead to Alzheimer's. Unlike PS 1, there are people with mutated PS 2 genes with no sign of Alzheimer's. Mutations in the PS 2 gene are thought to cause a less aggressive form of AD.

APOE 4:
APOE is a gene that causes the body to produce lipoprotein. This lipoprotein is a transporter of fats and cholesterol in the bloodstream. When the mutation E4 takes place, you then have APOE 4, another contributor to increased amyloid-beta production. Having this gene mutation is not a reliable indicator of future Alzheimer's. It just puts you at increased risk for developing the disease.

Lifestyle:
Studies about the role lifestyles could have in causing AD are limited, and not conclusive. Some diet researchers are looking at cholesterol, but no hard evidence exists. Another area is head injuries. It seems to be a good idea to stay away from sports that have a high incidence of head trauma because there is evidence that it can lead to Alzheimer's.

The only conclusive evidence about Alzheimer's disease is that it mentally cripples its victims. There is no known cause, only theories. Alzheimer's research is still a wide-open medical laboratory with room for many more researchers.

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