Scientists Show Why ApoE4 is Alzheimer's Disease Risk Factor

Having the ApoE4 gene variant is one of the strongest risk factors for developing late-onset Alzheimer's disease. Now, scientists have found out why. ApoE4 is less able to control production of the inflammatory cytokine cyclophilin A than other variants of the ApoE gene, and high levels of cyclophilin A set off inflammatory processes that ultimately damage the blood-brain barrier and the brain vasculature.