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Alzheimer’s plaques due to purging flaw

Disease-related gene controls clearance of plaque protein

By Tina Hesman Saey

- More than 2 years ago

The high-risk version of a gene associated with Alzheimer’s disease hinders the brain’s ability to clear out a troublesome protein, a new study finds.

PLAQUE ATTACK How much plaque builds up in the brains of mice genetically engineered to get Alzheimer’s disease depends upon which version of the cholesterol-handling APOE protein the animals have.