New Study Suggests Mother’s History May Increase Risk of Alzheimer’s Disease
A recent study analyzed genetic predispositions of 4,400 adults and found that those with mothers diagnosed with Alzheimer’s may be at a higher risk of developing the disease. The research also showed that individuals with fathers diagnosed before the age of 65 could also be more susceptible. Higher levels of amyloid plaques, precursors of Alzheimer’s, were found in individuals with a family history of the disease on their mother’s side. The study suggested that specific mitochondria inherited from the mother and faults in the X chromosome could play a role in the increased risk. With Alzheimer’s affecting millions of Americans, understanding genetic predispositions is crucial. Further research is needed to explore these findings and develop preventive measures for this devastating disease.
Vocabulary List
- Genetic predispositions /d???n?t?k ?pri?d?sp??z???nz/ (noun): Increased likelihood of developing a particular disease based on a person’s genetic makeup.
- Diagnosed /?da???n??zd/ (verb): Identified the nature of an illness or other problem by examination of the symptoms.
- Alzheimer’s disease /?æltsha?m?rz d??zi?z/ (noun): A progressive neurological disease that leads to memory loss and cognitive decline.
- Amyloid plaques /?æm?l??d plæks/ (noun): Clumps of protein fragments that accumulate between nerve cells in the brain, associated with Alzheimer’s.
- Mitochondria /?ma?t??k?ndr??/ (noun): Organelles found in large numbers in most cells, where biochemical processes of respiration and energy production occur.
- X chromosome /?ks ?kr??m?s??m/ (noun): One of the two sex chromosomes in humans, females have two X chromosomes, and males have one X and one Y chromosome.
- Genetic predispositions /d???n?t?k ?pri?d?sp??z???nz/ (noun): Increased likelihood of developing a particular disease based on a person’s genetic makeup.
- Susceptible /s??s?pt?b?l/ (adjective): Likely to be influenced or harmed by a particular thing.
- Precursors /pri??k??s?rz/ (noun): Substances from which another substance is formed, especially by metabolic reaction.
- Preventive measures /pr??v?nt?v ?m???rz/ (noun): Actions taken to reduce the chance of a disease or condition occurring.
Vocabulary List:
- Genetic predispositions (noun): Increased likelihood of developing a particular disease based on a person’s genetic makeup.
- Diagnosed (verb): Identified the nature of an illness or other problem by examination of the symptoms.
- Alzheimer’s disease (noun): A progressive neurological disease that leads to memory loss and cognitive decline.
- Amyloid plaques (noun): Clumps of protein fragments that accumulate between nerve cells in the brain associated with Alzheimer’s.
- Mitochondria (noun): Organelles found in large numbers in most cells where biochemical processes of respiration and energy production occur.
- X chromosome (noun): One of the two sex chromosomes in humans females have two X chromosomes and males have one X and one Y chromosome.
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