This new study, published in Nature, observes that ASC proteins ( a key trigger of inflammation and apotosis) can escape brain cells (especially microglia) and seed the aggregation of AB in between neurons. And that without ASC the aggregation is much slower (in mice). Here's how I interpreted this...

Interesting to think about the factors limiting the pace of clinical trials. I wonder what would happen if thousands lined up at their doors with our health records, genetic sequences, and liability waivers in hand, ready to participate. Imagine if the government saw the national health crisis that ...

"AD treatment research should be less not more confusing than the underlying disease itself." J11 - that'd be great, for sure! ...but in my limited experience research is a messy, painfully slow business of fumbling around in the darkness. I suspect we will stumble onto some helpful treatm...

Hi J11. Yes, I agree. This is a place where people should be proactive and pushing forward. I'm in an odd position myself - arrived here looking to help my mom, sometimes take a (selfish) interest in prevention, and I also work in the field (in a small way). I've found the only way it works is to ca...

Silencing E4 would be a nice first step. If they can get an RNA drug in through the spinal fluid to interfere with E4 translation why not co-inject a bunch of E2 RNA along with it? Those E4 RNAs wouldn't last too long but....if one is already getting injections why not? Anyway, I'm sure the research...

Their "preclinical" tab listed some research on amyloid, but more vaguely. I'm sure other companies are using similar technology.

Makes me want to high-five all of those researchers and encourage them along.

Quick summary from the AD-mouse paper: Highlights ApoE has little effect on Aβ accumulation after the initial seeding stage Decreasing apoE once fibrils have formed leads to an increase in plaque size ApoE4 reduction decreases neuritic dystrophy, independent of Aβ plaque load ApoE-targeted therapies...

So this new treatment for Huntington's disease involves injecting and RNA drug into spinal fluid - to "silence" the expression of the Huntington's gene's mRNA and, thus, the production of the Huntington's protein. Drug trial shows promising results to fight Huntington's disease http://www....

Thanks Julie and Susan! Seems to me, at first glance, that about half of these studies indicate some difference in young E4 brains, while half do not, with just a few scenarios where E4 brains may be associated with positive outcomes. It seems the answer is probably: it depends.

I was wondering if APOE4 was linked to problems in the young. I thought maybe there was something to learn there. From what I read, it usually is not a problem in young people. In the majority of studies IQ and memory tests are normal. But that differences in E4 "brain shape" may set the ...