Gene variant linked to Alzheimer’s disease is a triple threat

APOE4 spurs brain plaques, tau tangles and inflammation

PET scans

TANGLED The brain of a person with Alzheimer’s disease symptoms (right) is laden with tau protein (red), while a person with no symptoms (left) has little tau.

Matthew R. Brier

A genetic risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease is a double, make that triple, whammy.