Jul. 18, 2011 Researchers connect gene to precondition for
Alzheimer's Cornell scientists have shown a significant
correlation for the first time between a human gene and people's
risk for mild cognitive impairment (MCI), often a precursor to
Alzheimer's disease and related forms of dementia. The findings
could help doctors to recommend simple preventative measures for
at-risk patients, including healthy diet, exercise and
intellectual activity -- all of which could forestall and even
prevent chronic symptoms associated with the disease, said lead
author Charles Brainerd and Valerie Reyna, professors of human
development in Cornell's College of Human Ecology. The
professors, with researchers at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester,
Minn., linked the ε4 allele of the apolipoprotein E (APOE)
genotype to a greater likelihood of the onset of MCI in the July
4 issue of the journal Neuropsychology. "We're excited about
these findings, because they help identify the segment of the
population who will most benefit from effec