Young-onset Alzheimer’s disease has a strong genetic component. So far, researchers have linked the condition to mutations in one of three genes: APP, PSEN1, or PSEN2, which account for about 10 percent of all young-onset cases. When any of these genes is altered, the brain produces large amounts of amyloid beta peptide, a toxic protein fragment that clumps together to form amyloid plaques, a key marker of the disease, says Richard Sherva, PhD, research assistant professor at Boston University School of Medicine. These clusters bind themselves to receptors on nerve cells, triggering a process that erodes their synapses with other nerve cells, says Dr. Sherva.

Author:  Melba Newsome

Photo:  Unknown

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Please review the full article on-line (see link below).  It has additional information that may be helpful to you or your family.  People ask why it is important to seek medical attention if they are suspicious that a loved one  might have the beginning stages of some form of dementia.  Getting a proper, accurate diagnosis is important for many, many reasons.  Don’t ignore what “your gut feeling” is telling you. Seek medical consultation and evaluation.  Doreen  10/15/18

https://www.brainandlife.org/the-magazine/article/app/14/5/19/early-clues-researchers-are-making-important-discoveries-about-alzheimers-disease