According to a study, approximately 20% of the population carries a genetic variant known as DR4, which offers protection against Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases. This discovery opens up the possibility of developing a vaccine that could potentially slow down or prevent these common neurodegenerative conditions. The research conducted by an international team, led by Stanford University, involved analyzing medical and genetic data from hundreds of thousands of individuals across different countries. Results showed that not only were those with the DR4 gene less likely to develop Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, but if they did, the onset of symptoms occurred at a later age compared to those without the gene. Furthermore, autopsies on over 7,000 Alzheimer’s patients revealed that DR4 carriers had fewer tangles of the tau protein, a key player in the disease. This suggests that tau may also have some involvement in Parkinson’s. The researchers speculate that a potential vaccine targeting the DR4 variant could be developed to delay or slow the progression of these neurodegenerative disorders. However, it’s important to note that such a vaccine would only benefit those who possess the genetic variant. The study, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, sheds light on the potential of this protective gene and its impact on Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.
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