Women-only gene link to dementia
Scientists have found a genetic risk factor for late onset Alzheimer’s disease which is carried only by women.
The discovery is the first evidence to suggest that genetics may partly explain why more women than men tend to develop the disease.
The key variant was found in a gene on the X chromosome, of which females have two copies, but males only one.
The study, by the US-based Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, features in the journal Nature Genetics.
The Mayo team carried out a detailed genetic analysis of patients with Alzheimer’s diease. They identified a particular variant of a gene called PCDH11X which appeared to be closely linked to a higher risk of the disease.
Continue reading - BBC News/Health
Posted by InternetHealthClub
on Jan 12th, 2009 and is filed under Woman's Health.
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