Gene Mutation May Speed Up Memory Loss in Alzheimer’s Disease

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A gene mutation may accelerate the loss of memory and thinking skills in people who are at risk for Alzheimer’s disease. The gene mutation is called the BDNF Val66Met allele, or just the Met allele. Brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a protein produced by the gene of the same name. It is one of a group of proteins called neurotrophins that help nerve cells grow, specialize and survive. Alleles are parts of genes that work in pairs on the chromosomes to determine a person’s traits. “We found that people with Alzheimer’s risk who have this BDNF gene mutation called the Met allele may have a more rapid decline of memory and thinking skills,” said study author Ozioma Okonkwo, PhD, of the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine in Madison, Wisc. “Because this gene can be detected before the symptoms of Alzheimer’s start, and because this presymptomatic phase is thought to be a critical period for treatments that could delay or prevent the disease, it could be a great target for early treatments.”

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