Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia are devastating illnesses that affect many people. Several of us worry about our older relatives developing these conditions, and for good reason.
Sometimes, Alzheimer's runs in families. Other times, it might be triggered by injuries or stressful life events. It's also possible that the way some people are forced to live – with limited access to healthcare or education – could make them more vulnerable.
And then there's the question of genes: Are some groups of people simply more likely to develop Alzheimer's because of their genetic makeup?
That's what researchers at Boston University tried to find out in a large study focused specifically on African Americans. What they discovered, published in the journal "Alzheimer's & Dementia," is that African Americans are about twice as likely to develop Alzheimer's compared to white Americans.
The researchers pointed out that some of this difference is likely due to things like unequal access to healthcare, lower quality education, and higher rates of other health problems like heart disease and diabetes.
But the study also provided strong evidence that genetics play a role. For a long time, scientists have suspected that certain genes might make African Americans more susceptible to Alzheimer's. This new research helps confirm that idea.
Previous studies looking at the genes involved in Alzheimer's have mostly focused on white people. This new study looked at 207 samples of brain tissue from deceased African American individuals, some with Alzheimer's and some without.
The researchers found that 482 different genes behaved differently in the brains of African Americans with Alzheimer's compared to those without the disease.
In other words, certain genes, like one called ADAMTS2, were more active (or "expressed") in people with Alzheimer's. This suggests that if someone has lower levels of activity from the ADAMTS2 gene, they might be less likely to develop Alzheimer's, even if their brain shows other signs of the disease.
These findings are similar to what researchers have seen in studies of white people, suggesting that some of the same genes are involved in Alzheimer's across different racial groups.
The important takeaway is that by including African Americans in this research, scientists can now develop treatments that are more effective for everyone. This study highlights the need to include people from all backgrounds in medical research to make sure that everyone benefits from new discoveries.