Alzheimer’s disease is a devastating neurodegenerative condition affecting millions of people around the world. Current therapies are only partially effective, despite decades of research aimed at understanding the causes of the disease. Alzheimer’s is largely genetic, and the best-known genetic risk factor for Alzheimer’s comes from mutations in a gene called APOE. Until recently, however, exactly how these mutations increase risk for the disease has not been well understood. In today’s episode, Dan and Derek discuss new research on how mutations in APOE leads to Alzheimer’s disease. They talk about the new biological pathways uncovered, the potential therapeutic potential of the discovery, and a related early-stage clinical trial of gene therapy in Alzheimer’s disease.

 Blanchard et al., APOE4 impairs myelination via cholesterol dysregulation in oligodendrocytes. Nature, November 2022. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-022-05439-w

 The information presented here is not medical advice. Consult your physician for any questions regarding your personal health.