New research effort to understand role of APOE mutation in Alzheimer's disease

(Jackson Laboratory) Inheriting a specific genetic variant, APOEε4, is linked with 15-20 percent percent rise in risk of developing Alzheimer's, with at least 20 other genes implicated. The National Institute on Aging awarded a five-year grant totaling $4.2 million to Jackson Lab to study how APOEε4 risk depends on other genes, in mice with a wide variety of genetic backgrounds.