OREANDA-NEWS. Russian scientists from the company Genotek found that the cause of the increased risk of Alzheimer's disease is the APOE gene variant and its genotypes e3 / e4 and e2 / e4, found in 20% of our compatriots. They increase the development of pathology five times. And the e4 / e4 genotype, which is present in 3% of the population, increases the likelihood of the disease by 12 times. When studying Parkinson's disease, it became clear that two mutations are present in the loci of the LRRK2 and GBA genes. These mutations occur in 1-2 people out of a thousand, but increase the risk of developing the disease by 4-5 times. This was reported to Vesti Podmoskovye by the press service of the medical genetic center Genotek.

The study was conducted on the basis of depersonalized data of 50,000 Russians aged 18-65. Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases are based on processes that destroy the cells of the cerebral cortex. Usually people over 65 years of age are at risk, but earlier cases are also recorded. Parkinson's is more common in men, and Alzheimer's is more common in women due to the peculiarities of the hormonal system and high life expectancy. In total, about 2.5 million patients in Russia suffer from Alzheimer's, and 117-280 thousand from Parkinson's. There are no drugs that completely prevent the onset of dementia.

With parkinsonism, there is trembling of the arms, legs and head, muscle stiffness, slowness of movement, sleep disturbance, loss of balance. With Alzheimer's, there is increased absent-mindedness and forgetfulness, memory lapses, disorientation in space and time, lack of interest in the world, unstable mood.

“As part of the prevention of the above pathologies and in the presence of genetic factors, we recommend to be observed by a neurologist after 40 years, and also not to ignore medical examinations. Healthy sleep, mental and physical activity are of great importance. And also a diet rich in fiber and fatty acids, and drinking coffee in the absence of contraindications. This drink effectively prevents the appearance of Alzheimer's, improves memory, concentrates attention and reduces the risk of Parkinson's. Traumatic brain injuries, unbalanced nutrition, lack of intellectual activity and alcohol can provoke these diseases. Alcohol-containing drinks accelerate degenerative processes in brain cells,” said Genotek experts.