Several risk factors increase the likelihood of developing Alzheimer’s including minor, undetected strokes, infection from a virus, an injury to the head; a bad fall, or a car accident, and lastly lifestyle factors such as smoking and poor nutrition (Izenberg, 2000). A minor stroke cuts off blood supply to parts of the brain which causes cells to die, and this results in fibers and tangles of dead nerve cells to develop (Izenberg, 2000; MacGill). Infection from a virus might cause damage in the brain (Izenberg, 2000). An injury to the head might trigger damage in the brain in people who have certain genes linked to Alzheimer’s (Izenberg, 2000). Smoking and poor nutrition might also trigger the aging process to move faster (Izenberg, 2000; Smith
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In chromosome 19 the gene apoE is responsible in transporting lipids into neurons (Rowland, 2001). ApoE comes in three forms; apoE2, apoE3, and apoE4 (Rowland, 2001; Martone, 2002). Every person gets one apoE from each parent, which means either they can have one copy of two different forms or have two copies of one form of apoE (Rowland, 2001). People who have at least one copy of apoE4 are about three times more likely to develop late-onset Alzheimer’s, and people who have two copies of apoE4 are almost four times more likely to develop late-onset Alzheimer’s (Rowland, 2001; Martone, 2002). People may have apoE4 and they will not get Alzheimer’s and people without apoE4 can get the disease (Rowland, 2001). Why this gene increases the risk of getting Alzheimer’s disease is unknown (Rowland, 2001). Studies show that the most severe risk factor in developing Alzheimer’s disease is age, people who are older are at higher risk to get the disease rather than someone who is at a younger age (Rowland, 2001). Studies also show that having a family history of Alzheimer’s disease, Down syndrome, or Parkinson’s disease can increase the risk of developing the disease (Rowland,
In chromosome 19 the gene apoE is responsible in transporting lipids into neurons (Rowland, 2001). ApoE comes in three forms; apoE2, apoE3, and apoE4 (Rowland, 2001; Martone, 2002). Every person gets one apoE from each parent, which means either they can have one copy of two different forms or have two copies of one form of apoE (Rowland, 2001). People who have at least one copy of apoE4 are about three times more likely to develop late-onset Alzheimer’s, and people who have two copies of apoE4 are almost four times more likely to develop late-onset Alzheimer’s (Rowland, 2001; Martone, 2002). People may have apoE4 and they will not get Alzheimer’s and people without apoE4 can get the disease (Rowland, 2001). Why this gene increases the risk of getting Alzheimer’s disease is unknown (Rowland, 2001). Studies show that the most severe risk factor in developing Alzheimer’s disease is age, people who are older are at higher risk to get the disease rather than someone who is at a younger age (Rowland, 2001). Studies also show that having a family history of Alzheimer’s disease, Down syndrome, or Parkinson’s disease can increase the risk of developing the disease (Rowland,