Prevention

media type="custom" key="12077621"

 * Sorry you guys.. can you copy and paste this?? It wouldn't hyperlink on my computer...

==APO genes, also known as the apolipoprotein genes are found in Chromosome 19. “The job of APOE’s protein is to effect an introduction between VLDL and a receptor on a cell that needs some triglycerides”(259). That probably sounded like some sort of genetic gibberish to you, didn’t it?==

==For an example, I LOVE McRib. However, as much as this greasy piece of beauty is heaven to my taste buds, let’s take a look into what’s happening inside of my body. As I consume the McRib, my body is overloaded with triglyceride and cholesterol. It is then taken to my liver that attempts to digests and sends it out into the bloodstreams. However, because these lipids are insoluble in water, it needs special help from its lipoprotein friends. For very low density lipoprotein, the VLDL acts as a delivery truck to send off the fats and cholesterol to deprived cells, and this is when the apolipoprotein kicks in!== ==Just like there are set types of hair colors, there are set types of APOEs, also known as E2, E3, and E4. These common types of APOEs also come in pairs. We’re going to focus mostly on the unusual E4/E4 that is found to be commonly present in Alzheimer patients’ 19th chromosome. Although testing for the E4/E4 APOE gene, which allows one to see the risk of having the Alzheimer's disease, many researchers are opposed on this behalf, predicting that there will be much discrimination if such genetic information is revealed to others, such as the insurance companies.==

Hi! I, too, enjoy the occasional McRib (or two). It's kind of weird to me that a gene that has to do with triglycerides correlates with Alzheimers. Anyway, I think that if there is reasonable cost to suspect that someone may develop the disease (i.e. family history) that a test should be available-that way if a person tests + measures can be taken to preserve said person's neurological function....but the insurance company thing really gets in the way of good preventitive medicine...I wonder whether, in reality, they would loose less in someone had alzheimer's vs. paying for preventative treatment.---Rebecca

Hi Soo! I loved your McRib analogy: it made the process of understanding the involvement of APOEs much easier to understand! I agree with Rebecca that it seems bizarre that this gene responsible for aiding the digestion of a McRib also has to do with Alzheimer's. I wonder what the significance is in the duality of function regarding this gene! I also agree that it is awful that researchers are opposed to E4/E4 APOE gene testing for Alzheimer's detecting for fear of raised insurance costs. Rebecca summed it up nicely saying that it "gets in the way of good preventative medicine." Great module, and the link to the video was excellent! ~Shana

Hey Soo, Along with Rebecca and Shana, I was very surprised to find out that the gene that helps in food digestion is responsible for Alzheimers. Your example of the McRib was helpful in that it gave a clear analogy of what happens in our bodies as we eat foods. If Alzheimer's is so closely linked to the APOE genes, I wonder how a failure to properly digest lipids affects the brain and memory. The battle between genetics and insurance companies is an example of how controversial a discovery of a particular gene can be. After all, knowledge has both lead us to amazing discoveries, but also destructive actions. -Boyi