Alzheimer’s Notes participated in this round-up with my post where I ponder, Does Alzheimer’s Follow a Family Gene? ane consider my family members who may and may not have had this disease.

I also like the answer Hsien gives to my question, when she points us to the Alzheimer’s Disease Genetics Fact Sheet.

Post from: Blisstree

Alzheimer’s Notes Participates in Gene Genie

*Would one find ancestors with dementia or Alzheimer’s in the family history?

*Will they find distant cousins who suffer from Alzheimer’s or have family members who do?

*If your family member (parent/spouse/aunt/uncle/grandparent/sibling) has Alzheimer’s, will you find a history of this disease as you use DNA to find ancestors?

*Will we find there’s a genetic or hereditary connection to Alzheimer’s?

Just some points to ponder.

Post from: Blisstree

Will Ancestral DNA Research Reveal Alzheimer’s?

Sometimes I wondered when the burden of caregiving left me exhausted and Mother had yet one more repeated question (she’s asked it just five minutes before), plugged the toilet with newspaper (because she was back in the outhouse days), or emptied the leftovers from the refrigerator in the night for her cat. 

Do you ever say to yourself, when wondering why this disease affected your loved one, “Will I come down with it, too?  Will my family have to care for me like this?”  Do you look at your parent and wonder if the genes are there to cause you to become like them, afflicted with that memory robbing disease called Alzheimer’s?

As much research as is being done…as much knowledge genetic specialists have acquired, “For most people, genetic testing cannot accurately predict [sporatic] Alzheimer’s disease,” is mentioned in  The Forgetting  at PBS.org. 

“In contrast, testing for “Familial” Alzheimer’s [an inherited form contracted by only 10% of Alzheimer's patients] is quite accurate, “ the information continues.

In spite of the great resources available, the genetic research under way, absolute testing yet appears to come up with few absolute answers about Alzheimer’s.  Research continues and much of it is heartening as we wonder, “Will I get Alzheimer’s?”

You’ll also find at The Forgetting Center, more research information about Alzheimer’s.

There’s a news resource center, as well, with updates.

Post from: Blisstree

Do Caregivers See Themselves in Alzheimer’s Family Members?

Mendel’s Garden is a blog carnival devoted to genetics, generally with a different blogger hosting it each time.  You’ll find, at this carnival, an amazing number of ways genetics and genetic research plays a role in our lives.

Post from: Blisstree

Alzheimer’s Notes Participates in Mendel’s Garden Carnival

Here I shared news about mice that were genetically engineered to lack the Cdk5 enzyme.  Researchers think this may help them in Alzheimer’s discoveries.

Post from: Blisstree

Alzheimer’s Notes Featured in Mendel’s Garden

The example was given of the engineered, or “smart,” mice ” being more adept at learning to navigate a water maze and remembering that being in a certain box involves a mild shock.  The mice also were faster than their cousins to realize when situations changed and could work out an alternate route through the maze.

The implications for Alzheimer’s  could be great, according to the researchers.  Turning this enzyme (Cdk5) off in the brain and understanding more about it could help bring about better knowledge about Alzheimer’s along with many other conditions.  Scientists will continue to study the long term effect of deleting this enzyme from the brain of mice.

Also, at Alzheimer’s Daily News, this topic is mentioned, as well as reference to Dr.James Bibb, one of the researchers, who affirmed that understanding how the enzyme affects the brains and behavior of  mice might aid in the treatment of Alzheimer’s and other diseases.  

Post from: Blisstree

Genetic Engineering in Mice May Aid Alzheimer’s Research

 Is Alzheimer’s genetic? 

Did Auntie and Mother develop it because of something in their genes? Then why didn’t their two brothers have Alzheimer’s?  Their minds were alert when they died in their 80’s.  We can’t say it’s because they were males and Mother and Auntie females since other men develop Alzheimer’s.

Although there is testing and research going on by many scientists and institutions, they’ve found no certain cause nor sure cure. The testing continues to see  whether one person is likely to get it and another is not.  Scientists also want an answer to the genetic questions, too.

So…I answer that I’m not worried because, at this point, I don’t know that there’s anything genetic to  make it more likely that my sister or I will develop Alzheimer’s.  It will be interesting to see what the scientists eventually come up with in answering the question, “Is Alzheimer’s genetic?” 

Decoding Darkness: The Search for the Genetic Causes of Alzheimer’s Disease may not have all the answers, but may give some idea of what’s being done.

Post from: Blisstree

Is Alzheimer’s Genetic?

Rather than trying to summarize what she discusses about this research, I’m referring you directly to her blog for Aug. 11.

Post from: Blisstree

Alzheimer’s Information on Genetics and Health Blog