ElI5: What is Beta Amyloid and APOE4 and what is their connection between themselves and Alzheimer’s disease?

Question

ElI5: What is Beta Amyloid and APOE4 and what is their connection between themselves and Alzheimer’s disease?

In: Biology

Answer 1

In many people with Alzheimer’s disease, little buildups of called “amyloid plaques” can be found in their brain.

Although we don’t yet definitively know what causes Alzheimer’s, we’re quite sure that these plaques have something to do with Alzheimer’s.

Studies show that Beta Amylod and APOE4 being present in your body together result in your chances of developing amyloid plaques higher than normal.

So as a result, Beta Amylod and APOE4 being in your body makes it more likely that you will develop Alzheimer’s.