Alzheimer is the most common form of dementia that has not got any proper medical cure till date. Early detection of the symptoms can afford better chances of survival for the patients. A recent study reveals that signs of Alzheimer can be detected in infants with irregular brain growth.
The study was jointly conducted by researchers at Brown University and the Banner Alzheimer's Institute. The findings published in the latest issue of the journal, Jama Neurology, reveal that babies who carry the specific gene variant APOE-E4, have greater chances of developing Alzheimer later.
Alzheimer is the sixth leading cause of death in the U.S. Around five million people in the country are fighting the disease, according to cbsnews.
The researchers observed brains of 162 babies. The little participants were aged between two and 25 months. The DNA of the infants was tested to detect the gene APOE-E4. Around 60 kids were found to be carrying the specific gene variant. The brain images of these toddlers were compared to brain scan reports of the non carriers.
Brain growths among the children bearing APOE-E4 were found to be uneven. Some of the brain parts especially the front lobe was found to be more developed compared to the middle or rear parts of the brain. According to the researchers, the uneven brain development is a possible hint of the child developing Alzheimer in later part of life.
However, it does not mean that whoever has irregular brain growth or carries APOE-E4 will be affected by Alzheimer later. It's just that people with APOE-E4 are at greater risk of getting Alzheimer.
"This work is about understanding how this gene influences brain development," said Sean Deoni, one of the researchers, reports counselheal. "These results do not establish a direct link to the changes seen in Alzheimer's patients, but with more research they may tell us something about how the gene contributes to Alzheimer's risk later in life."
Around one in every 25 person carries the APOE-E4 gene in the U.S. but that certainly does not mean that they all are going to develop Alzheimer in later days. The study lays more emphasis significantly on the early detection of the disease and if there are any possible therapies to prevent the mental illness.
The study has been accompanied by an editorial from the other neurosurgeons, Dr. John Growdon and Dr. Bradley Hyman stating that the results are a bit dicey as the study is primarily based on hypothesis rather than confirmed observations. The study is basically to show the relevance of the gene APOE-E4 for Alzheimer but does not specify how APOE-E4 results in Alzheimer, reports Huffington Post.
