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Colored artistic rendition of neurons and plaque buildup
Alzheimer’s Risk Gene Paradoxically Protects Against Memory Loss
A new study links a variant of the apolipoprotein E gene called APOE ε4 to better memory in older age, even in the presence of amyloid plaques—a possible explanation for the variant’s persistence despite its association with an increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease.
Alzheimer’s Risk Gene Paradoxically Protects Against Memory Loss
Alzheimer’s Risk Gene Paradoxically Protects Against Memory Loss

A new study links a variant of the apolipoprotein E gene called APOE ε4 to better memory in older age, even in the presence of amyloid plaques—a possible explanation for the variant’s persistence despite its association with an increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease.

A new study links a variant of the apolipoprotein E gene called APOE ε4 to better memory in older age, even in the presence of amyloid plaques—a possible explanation for the variant’s persistence despite its association with an increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease.

neurodegeneration, genetics & genomics

Photographs of the October 2021 issue's contributors
Contributors
The Scientist | Oct 1, 2021 | 3 min read
Meet some of the people featured in the October 2021 issue of The Scientist.
Image of the Day: In the Eye of a Fly
Carolyn Wilke | Feb 26, 2019 | 1 min read
A missing microRNA leads to degenerating neurons and blindness in a fruit fly.
Can Viruses in the Genome Cause Disease?
Katarina Zimmer | Jan 1, 2019 | 10+ min read
Clinical trials that target human endogenous retroviruses to treat multiple sclerosis, ALS, and other ailments are underway, but many questions remain about how these sequences may disrupt our biology.
Thousands of Mutations Accumulate in the Human Brain Over a Lifetime
Ruth Williams | Dec 7, 2017 | 4 min read
Single-cell genome analyses reveal the amount of mutations a human brain cell will collect from its fetal beginnings until death.
Influential Alzheimer’s Researcher Dies
Jef Akst | Oct 6, 2016 | 2 min read
Allen Roses, a professor of neurobiology at Duke University School of Medicine, has passed away at age 73.
Week in Review: May 12–16
Tracy Vence | May 16, 2014 | 3 min read
Antidepressant could prevent Alzheimer’s plaques; 12,000-year-old human skeleton sequenced; disentangling the mystery of octopus arms; taking a look at the ocular microbiome
Week in Review: March 17–21
Tracy Vence | Mar 20, 2014 | 3 min read
Protein appears to protect stressed neurons; vitamin A’s lifelong effects on immunity; stem cells influenced by substrates; supercharged photosynthesis through nanotechnology
Week in Review: January 6–10
Tracy Vence | Jan 10, 2014 | 3 min read
Bacterial genes aid tubeworm settling; pigmentation of ancient reptiles; nascent neurons and vertebrate development; exploring simple synapses; slug-inspired surgical glue
New Alzheimer’s-Associated Genes
Tracy Vence | Oct 28, 2013 | 1 min read
A GWAS meta-analysis identifies 11 new loci associated with onset of the neurodegenerative disease.
Week in Review: September 16–20
Tracy Vence | Sep 20, 2013 | 3 min read
Dealing with anonymous misconduct allegations; efficiently generating iPSCs; distinguishing viral infections from non-viral; imaging tau in vivo
Non-coding Repeats Cause Peptide Clumps
Ruth Williams | Feb 7, 2013 | 3 min read
Protein aggregates in the brains of some people with dementia or motor neuron disease have a surprising origin.
Targeting DNA
Jef Akst | Jun 1, 2012 | 10+ min read
After 20 years of high-profile failure, gene therapy is finally well on its way to clinical approval.
Five Life-Science MacArthur Winners
Edyta Zielinska | Sep 22, 2011 | 2 min read
This year’s winners research topics ranging from stem cell regulation to brain damage from football injuries.
Proteins Adorned
Amy Maxmen | Jan 1, 2011 | 7 min read
Cracking the Secrets of Posttranslational Modifications
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