September 13, 2025

77% of Late Onset Alzheimer’s Disease have NO genetic connection If a genetic mutation predisposes you to Alzheimer’s, then we would see a much stronger familial link for this disease – which we don’t.   What we do see is pretty shocking.  Of the multiple large scale studies we reviewed, 77% of Late Onset AD cases (referred to as LOAD) have absolutely NO family history of AD!  Which makes the slight (16%) of AD cases whose mother also died of the disease a bit underwhelming.   Here’s the Data that will leave you sleeping better at night A review of 3,342 confirmed AD cases shows:   *No Family History represented 77% of the cases  *Having a mother with AD represented 16% of the cases  *Having a father with AD represented 6% of the cases Yet many researchers suspect Alzheimer’s is genetic? When we look at Alzheimer’s Disease from genes as being the driver, this disease can be classified in one of two ways:  Early Onset – which has certain genes linked to it including: Amyloid Precurser Protein (APP) which is located on chromosome 21; Presenilin 1 (PSEN1) which is located on chromosome 14; Presenilin 2 (PSEN2) which is located on chromosome 14 Late Onset – which has not been determined to have a definitive (though suspected) link. The only gene, which is a natural mutation, is the APOE gene. More on that in a later post Different from early onset (EOAD), which we can link directly to our genes, The significantly more common form of Alzheimer’s – LOAD – is not so clear in its origin.   THE HYPOTHESIS Overtime it has come clear that three main lines of reasoning are emerging  as to what is causing LOAD – and only one relates to genetics.   1) APOE-4 Gene Variant Theory: aka the “mutating gene hypothesis” 2) The Beta-Amyloid Cascade Theory: aka the”protein-gone-wrong hypothesis” 3) The Opportunistic Pathogen Theory: aka the “microbial/infectious hypothesis” – which is the theory The CAD Foundation and the University of Minnesota are working together to figure out.   The first two theories hinge on the idea that the human body is the problem, that in the last 100 years – changes to our DNA are now manifesting in diseases such as Alzheimer’s.  The last theory hinges on the idea that environmental factors (such as what we are eating, and our lifestyle choices) are the issue. And that in the last 100 years changes in society (many considered “modern conveniences” are now manifesting in diseases such as Alzheimer’s.  DISCLAIMER Copyright © 2022 Curing Alzheimer’s Disease [EIN #88-3154550]  All Rights Reserved.  This information is not designed to replace a physician’s independent judgment about the appropriateness or risks of a procedure for a given patient. Always consult your doctor about your medical conditions. Curing Alzheimer’s Disease.com does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Use of the site is conditional upon your acceptance of our terms of use.