A recent research published from Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University has discovered that the so-called “longevity Gene” has the potential to reduce the effect of many neurological degenerative illnesses. There are medicines being developed to protect against Alzheimer’s disease based on the effect of the longevity gene.
It was published in the 13th edition January 2010, “Journal of the American Medical Association”. According to Richard B. Lipton, M.D., the Lotti and Bernard Benson Faculty Scholar in Alzheimer’s disease as well as professor and vice chair in the Saul R. Korey Department of Neurology at Einstein, says that research has until now only focused on factors leading to Alzheimer’s disease and those preventing the pathologies. For instance APOE ε4 is a particular variant related to cholesterol metabolism which tends to increase the risk of Alzheimer’s disease.
Dr. Lipton is now taking an opposite angle in the research of Alzheimer’s disease. This implied that instead of solely identifying risk factor of age-related diseases such as memory decline, dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, protective factors should also be sought.
A previous research conducted in 2003 by Dr. Lipton and his team, found a ‘longevity gene’ known as cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) which is highly common amidst Ashkenazi Jews. It was found that the CETP gene had a positive effect; it augmented the level of blood for HDL (high-density lipoprotein). HDL is often simply referred to as good cholesterol. The result of the CETP gene was that an above average of HDL and LDL (low-density lipoprotein) particles was present
It was hypothesized that the CETP longevity gene had a relationship with a more stable cognitive mind such as preventing decline cognition associated with old age. To gather sufficient proof, information from 523 participants from the Einstein Aging Study was examined. It is a study that is being funded by the federal and consists of a diverse population of elders having lived in Bronx for over 25 years.
All of the 523 participants were 70 years or above and were cognitively healthy. A blood sample of each participant was taken to be analysed so that the variant of CETP gene could be determine. The sample was scrutinized on an average every 4 years to evaluate their cognitive conditions, and to find out whether there was an incident of dementia or Alzheimer’s disease.
The lead author of the paper, Amy E. Sanders, M.D., assistant professor in the Saul R. Korey Department of Neurology at Einstein said that participant who had two copies of the ‘longevity gene’ CETP had a lesser risk of cognitive decline as well as Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. In more accurate term, individual having two copies of the CETP variant had as much as 70 percent less risk to suffer from Alzheimer’s disease in contrast to those having no copies of the gene variant.
Medicine aimed to duplicate the effect of CETP protein is already in development according to Dr. Lipton. This will likely constitute a treatment or even a cure against aging-related illnesses such as Alzheimer’s disease.
Source: Phy Org
Sun, Feb 7, 2010
Anti Aging, Gerontology, Health And Aging, Longevity