Scientists have long suspected that there may be a link between the X chromosome and Alzheimer’s disease, as the vast majority of cases occur in women. Now, a new study in mice has provided further evidence of this connection.
The study, conducted by researchers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, found that female mice with a genetic mutation that leads to a loss of the X chromosome were more likely to develop Alzheimer’s-like symptoms than those without the mutation.
“Our findings suggest that the X chromosome may play a role in the development of Alzheimer’s disease, and that women may be more susceptible to the disease than men,” said lead author Dr. Deborah Sliwerska.
The findings could have implications for the treatment of Alzheimer’s, as well as for our understanding of the disease. Currently, there is no cure for Alzheimer’s, and the causes of the disease are still largely unknown.
If the X chromosome does indeed play a role in Alzheimer’s, it could be that drugs that target the X chromosome could be effective in treating the disease. Additionally, this could help to explain why the disease is so much more common in women than in men.
Further research is needed to confirm the findings of this study, but the results provide yet another piece of evidence suggesting that the X chromosome may be a key player in the development of Alzheimer’s disease.
X chromosome may hold the key to why Alzheimer’s disease disproportionately affects women, new research in mice suggests.
The study, led byscientists at The University of British Columbia, found that the X chromosome plays a unique role in the development of the disease.
“Our findings suggest that the X chromosome may be a hotspot for genes that contribute to Alzheimer’s disease,” said senior author Weihong Song, a professor of psychiatry at UBC.
While previous research has shown that Alzheimer’s disease is more common in women than in men, the reason for this gender disparity has been unclear.
The new study, published in the journal Nature Neuroscience, provides insights into why the disease may be more prevalent in women.
In the study, the researchers genetically engineered mice to carry a human gene linked to Alzheimer’s disease on their X chromosome.
They found that the presence of this gene increased the levels of a protein called amyloid beta in the brain.
Amyloid beta is a key component of the plaques that are characteristic of Alzheimer’s disease.
The mice with the human gene also showed signs of impaired memory and learning.
“This is the first study to show that a gene linked to Alzheimer’s disease alters amyloid beta levels in the brain,” said Song.
“It provides strong evidence that the X chromosome is involved in the development of the disease.”
The findings add to a growing body of evidence that suggests that genes on the X chromosome may play a role in Alzheimer’s disease.
A previous study found that women who inherit two copies of the APOE4 gene – one from each parent – are at an increased risk of developing the disease.
“The X chromosome may be a key player in the risk of Alzheimer’s disease,” said Song.
“Our findings provide new insights into the biology of the disease and may help to explain why it is more common in women.”
