Description
ApoE transports lipoproteins, fat-soluble vitamins, and cholesterol via the lymph system to the blood. ApoE exists as three major isoforms, including ApoE2, ApoE3, and ApoE4. Recently, ApoE4 has been implicated in Alzheimer's disease (AD). ApoE4 is the first risk gene identified in Alzheimer's research, and remains the gene with strongest impact. Everyone inherits a copy of ApoE gene from each parent. Those who inherit one copy of ApoE4 have an increased risk of developing AD (about a quarter of the human population). Those who inherit two copies of ApoE4 have an even higher risk (about 2% of humans with up to 10 times higher risk). In addition to raising risk, ApoE4 may tend to make AD symptoms appear at a younger age