Alzheimer’s Disease and the HSF-1 and DAF-16 Genes

Like all illnesses, Alzheimer’s disease affects not just the patient but everyone connected to him/her including family and professional caregivers. While we know that amyloid plaques in the brain are part of the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s, the exact biological pathway and cause(s) are still not well understood. According to the National Institute on Aging, “the number of people with the disease doubles every 5 years beyond age 65.”

In the roundworm C. elegans, scientists have discovered two genes with functions that could be important in the development of Alzheimer’s disease and that show a decrease in activity with age.

• HSF-1 destroys toxic protein inside cells.
• DAF-16 herds toxic proteins cluttering the environment outside cells into less harmful clumps

Andrew Dillin at the Salk Institute :

That gives us one molecular link. If we can detect that in very early Alzheimer’s patients, then we can say, “Ah, you may get it so you need to start taking drug x, y and z.”

Personalized medicine based on a person’s HSF-1 and DAF-16 genotype could be a tremendous improvement over existing treatment with limited efficacy. Meanwhile, if you and a loved one needs support with Alzheimer’s disease, visit Mary Emma at Alzheimer’s Notes. She supported her mother and aunt during their illness and knows the disease close-up.

SignOnSanDiego.com, August 11, 2006

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