apoe4 linked to eye disease?

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hairyfairy
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apoe4 linked to eye disease?

Post by hairyfairy »

Iv`e read about the apoe4 gene being linked to macular degeneration as well as AD. My genetic test results also showed that I have two genetic markers for this eye disease. It`s bad enough having an AD gene without having to worry about blindness as well!
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SusanJ
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Re: apoe4 linked to eye disease?

Post by SusanJ »

hairyfairy wrote:I have two genetic markers for this eye disease
Look up the AREDS studies. The supplements from AREDS-2 might be of interest to you.

I'm in the same risk boat, so I added lutein and zeaxanthin to my stack. There are AREDS formula vitamins out there that mimic the amounts in the study. I'd just be careful adding in the copper, unless you know you are low in that to begin with. (Bredesen recommends zinc:copper to be around 1:1).
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Re: apoe4 linked to eye disease?

Post by Angelheart301 »

I am APOE 3, 4 and also have rs10490924(T;T) and rs11200638(A;A) which according to Promethease increase chances of AMD and wet AMD by 8X and 10X. Last fall (at age 71) straight lines suddenly started to look wavy (door frames, windows, floor tile, etc), I was diagnosed with dry AMD in one eye and wet AMD in the other. I went to Wills Eye Hospital to their top retina specialist. I have been receiving eyeball injections of Eyelea there for a year in one eye, and just last month now require in injections is the other. (Yes, they numb you! ) These injections are saving my eyesight. I recommend using an Amsler grid (available everywhere online) monthly to check your own vision, and if things are distorted on it, or in everyday vision, I suggest seeing a good retina specialist as soon as possible. (I do take AREDS 2)
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Re: apoe4 linked to eye disease?

Post by NF52 »

Angelheart301 wrote:I am APOE 3, 4 and also have rs10490924(T;T) and rs11200638(A;A) which according to Promethease increase chances of AMD and wet AMD by 8X and 10X. Last fall (at age 71) straight lines suddenly started to look wavy (door frames, windows, floor tile, etc), I was diagnosed with dry AMD in one eye and wet AMD in the other. I went to Wills Eye Hospital to their top retina specialist...
Hi Angelheart301,
Thank you for sharing this helpful information about treatment options for "dry" and "wet" macular degeneration. I think many of us in our 60's and 70's have memories of people stating that, like prevention of Alzheimer's, "nothing could be done" for AMD. As a former Philadelphian, I know of the stellar reputation of the Wills Eye Institute. A former colleague in NYS had a daughter who was spared from what doctors expected to be blindness in one eye caused by a rare tumor by the skill of the staff at Wills.

It's important to remember that it's not only our brains we have to attend to; when our eyes start telling us to have them checked--we should listen!
4/4 and still an optimist!
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Re: apoe4 linked to eye disease?

Post by NF52 »

hairyfairy wrote:Iv`e read about the apoe4 gene being linked to macular degeneration as well as AD. My genetic test results also showed that I have two genetic markers for this eye disease. It`s bad enough having an AD gene without having to worry about blindness as well!

It does feel that way, right? Especially when you're already on a rollercoaster from the ApoE 3/4 news, and now a risk for AMD (age-related macular degeneration) has added a tilt-a-whirl ride for an extra "thrill". I think it's perfectly OK to say "Enough, already! I've met my stress quota for 2018!"

The good news is that just like with ApoE 3/4, the "risk" doesn't mean you will have the "disease". And even better is that, like ApoE 3/4, there are things you can do. You may want to start with checking with your own eye doctor and ask if they can check you for AMD, which is a part of a typical eye exam with dilated pupils.

If you read down further, you'll see the wonderful support for macular degeneration that Angelheart301, who is 71 years old, has received from her doctors. Turns out there is a lot that can be done to prevent and lessen vision loss. Here's a helpful video from the Wills Eye Institute that Angleheart301 is seen. (I have no involvement with them.) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wnt4JqJCW9s
4/4 and still an optimist!
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Re: apoe4 linked to eye disease?

Post by Julie G »

I've been following the brain/eye health connection for a while and am beginning to wonder if there might even be a bidirectional component. Could taking exquisite care of our eyes ultimately improve brain health? A small study published in June lends credence to that idea. In addition to my 3x week liver snacks (bleh!) and daily 1/2 tsp. cod-liver oil, I've recently begun supplementing with the cocktail outlined in this paper.

Nutritional Intervention to Prevent Alzheimer’s Disease: Potential Benefits of Xanthophyll Carotenoids and Omega-3 Fatty Acids Combined
https://content.iospress.com/articles/j ... /jad180160
Abstract
Background:
A growing body of scientific evidence suggests that enrichment of certain nutritional compounds in the brain may reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease (AD).
Objective:
To investigate the impact of supplemental xanthophyll carotenoids plus omega-3 fatty acids on disease progression in patients with AD.
Methods:
Three trial experiments were performed. In Trials 1 and 2 (performed on patients with AD over an 18-month period), 12 patients (AD status at baseline: 4 mild and 8 moderate) were supplemented with a xanthophyll carotenoid only formulation (Formulation 1; lutein:meso-zeaxanthin:zeaxanthin 10:10:2 mg/day) and 13 patients (AD status at baseline: 2 mild, 10 moderate, and 1 severe) were supplemented with a xanthophyll carotenoid and fish oil combination (Formulation 2; lutein:meso-zeaxanthin:zeaxanthin 10:10:2 mg/day plus 1 g/day of fish oil containing 430 mg docohexaenoic acid [DHA] and 90 mg eicopentaenoic acid [EPA]), respectively. In Trial 3, 15 subjects free of AD (the control group) were supplemented for 6 months with Formulation 1. Blood xanthophyll carotenoid response was measured in all trials by HPLC. Omega-3 fatty acids were profiled by direct infusion mass spectrometry.
Results:
Xanthophyll carotenoid concentration increases were significantly greater for Formulation 2 compared to Formulation 1 (p < 0.05), and progression of AD was less for this group (p = 0.003), with carers reporting functional benefits in memory, sight, and mood.
Conclusion:
This preliminary report suggests positive outcomes for patients with AD who consumed a combination of xanthophyll carotenoids plus fish oil, but further study is required to confirm this important observation
If you get a chance, read "Discussion" section. It's pretty impressive. These findings have led to a larger European trial, called re-MIND, currently recruiting in Ireland, to test the nutritional strategy in 120 patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease.
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Re: apoe4 linked to eye disease?

Post by johndoealzh »

I have the same genetic combination. Im taking Areds 2 and I feel like my proper nouns are coming to me a little quicker since. But I can't prove that. I'm 63.
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Re: apoe4 linked to eye disease?

Post by NF52 »

johndoealzh wrote:I have the same genetic combination. Im taking Areds 2 and I feel like my proper nouns are coming to me a little quicker since. But I can't prove that. I'm 63.
Any chance that the proper nouns coming quicker has been since you started on the Generations 2 trial ? If you are on CNP520, as about 68% of people in that trial are, your amyloid is probably way down, which could be a good thing for processing speed.
4/4 and still an optimist!
johndoealzh
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Re: apoe4 linked to eye disease?

Post by johndoealzh »

Not likely. I was on the AREDS2 for about 4 months before I got on the CNP520/Placebo. And my results for the Amyloid PET scan, which the Gen 2 Study gives you an initial result only on, was Not Elevated. I should be careful on this site not to give out too much info about by case, bit I think this is OK.
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Re: apoe4 linked to eye disease?

Post by NF52 »

johndoealzh wrote:Not likely. I was on the AREDS2 for about 4 months before I got on the CNP520/Placebo. And my results for the Amyloid PET scan, which the Gen 2 Study gives you an initial result only on, was Not Elevated. I should be careful on this site not to give out too much info about by case, bit I think this is OK.
I'd never ask you to give out too much info--I hope!--since I am in the Generations One study. Since neither of us, nor the study site staff, has any idea whether we're on a placebo or the study drug, it was more curiosity. In any event, I think the premise of CNP520 is that it delays or prevents additional cognitive decline in ApoE 4/4 or 3/4 participants, not that it gives us back old (or new) abilities. If it did, I might have to start taking piano lessons again (ugh!)
4/4 and still an optimist!
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