Exploring the APOE4 Gene Variant and Alzheimer's Disease

In recent years, there has been a significant change in how we approach and address diseases. Previously, the responsibility of maintaining good health largely relied on the healthcare system. However, this mindset has shifted, and individuals are now encouraged to play an active role in advocating for their own health. Understanding the biochemical processes that contribute to illnesses, such as Alzheimer's, has become crucial in managing and taking control of our personal health journey. By recognizing the intricate mechanisms that lead to diseases like Alzheimer's, we can make more informed decisions regarding our lifestyle choices, medical interventions, and preventative measures. 

I’m joined by Dr. Dale Bredesen, and we’re diving into the intricacies of Alzheimer's, its prevention, and even reversal possibilities. We cover the crucial role of the immune system in both Alzheimer's and COVID, and the fascinating connections between these diseases. Dr. Bredesen also discusses his lab's ground-breaking work to understand the neurodegenerative process, which has resulted in three books and thousands of people experiencing improvements in their conditions.

Dale E. Bredesen, M.D., is internationally recognized as an expert in the mechanisms of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, and the author of the New York Times bestsellers The End of Alzheimer's (Avery, 2017) and The End of Alzheimer's Program (Avery, 2020), as well as The First Survivors of Alzheimer’s (Avery, 2021). He has held faculty positions at UC San Francisco, UCLA, and the University of California San Diego, and directed the Program on Aging at the Burnham Institute before coming to the Buck Institute for Research on Aging in 1998 as its founding president and CEO. He is currently a professor at UCLA.

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What we discuss:

(0:00:03) - Shifting paradigms in 21st century medicine

(0:15:48) - Addressing toxins and pathogens

(0:24:38) - Understanding cognitive decline and prevention

(0:28:07) - Alzheimer's disease and treatment

(0:34:33) - The APOE4 gene and Alzheimer's risk 

(0:52:24) - Immune memory, fats, alcohol, and Alzheimer's subtypes

(1:06:30) - Accessing Dr. Bredesen's resources and books

Key Takeaways:

• The first step in assessing cognitive decline involves a series of blood and urine tests. These tests are comprehensive and not typically performed by most doctors. They examine various factors that contribute to cognitive decline, such as ongoing inflammation, toxin levels, and metabolism. Additionally, the tests also cover factors like sleep apnea, as reduced oxygenation during sleep can negatively impact brain health. 

• If an individual has zero copies of the APOE4 gene, their lifetime risk for developing Alzheimer's disease is approximately 9%. While this risk is not zero, it is not considered significantly high. On the other hand, individuals with a single copy of the APOE4 gene have a much higher lifetime risk of around 30% for developing Alzheimer's. Those with two copies of the gene have an even greater risk of about 70%, suggesting that a majority of them will likely develop Alzheimer's during their lifetime.

• There is an interesting phenomenon associated with receiving certain vaccines early in life, such as the BCG vaccine, which has been shown to reduce the risk of Alzheimer's disease. It appears that preparing the adaptive immune system at an early stage may be beneficial. On the contrary, when the innate immune system is modified later in life through late vaccinations, boosters, or exposure to substances like beta-glucans, it can potentially elevate the activity of the innate system again.