Research results released in recent days have indicated there may be a relationship between cold sores and Alzheimer’s.  Elaine, at Genetics and Health, discusses the Herpes Simplex 1 (HSV-1) virus  involved and these latest findings in her post, Cold sore virus may be linked to Alzheimer’s.
She also relates the connection between HSV-1 and ApoE4 gene and their connection with Alzheimer’s…how researchers suspect the presence of the ApoE4 gene may work to make HSV-1 more active.

Elaine at Genetics and Health, in her post, UK embarks on largest ever Alzheimer’s gene study, has recommended Alzheimer’s Notes “for even more amazing information, support, comments and latest advances in the field of Alzheimer’s disease.”
Thanks, Elaine, for your support of Alzheimer’s Notes.  We try to provide information and encouragement, along with resources for the Alzheimer’s patient and caregiver.  Since I’ve been caregiver for my mom and aunt, and Liz works with the elderly, hopefully we realize how much this is needed. 

Learn more about recent research into possible causes of Alzheimer’s as related to genetics.  Over at the Genetics & Health blog, Dr. Hsien Hsien Lei has posted information about the SORL1 Gene and Alzheimer’s Disease. 
This topic has been in the news recently, and  Dr. Lei refers to information in the New York Times.

Harvard geneticist, Rudy Tanzi, received a $1 million grant from the Cure Alzheimer’s Fund to study and help find a cure for Alzheimer’s disease.  Hsien-Hsien Lei, PhD, in her Genetics and Health blog (www.geneticsandhealth.com/2006/11/05/cure-alzheimers-fund-awards-harvard-geneticist-rudy-tanzi/ )has covered this news item more in depth and links to other references.
Through the study of genetics, they are hoping to find identify all the genes associated with Alzheimer’s by Summer, 2008.

I mentioned in a previous post on Alzheimer’s Notes, that some caregivers wonder why I write and speak about Alzheimer’s now that Mother and Auntie no longer live.  Some want to put the experience behind them and forget about the struggles and frustrations when their family member practically was another person.
Hsien Lei, author of www.geneticsandhealth.com, responded with the following comment, which expresses so well what I came to understand as I lived Mother’s journey through Alzheimer’s with her:
“How ironic that people would want to forget about their loved ones with Alzheimer’s. Alzheimer’s does not define people.  It is simply a part …read more