TOMM40 Gene Could Foretell Age of Alzheimer’s Disease Onset

A Duke University Research team has discovered the TOMM40 gene could foretell the age of Alzheimers’ disease onset within a 5 to 7 year time frame among people over 60.

Lead author of the study, Dr. Allen Roses, said in a news release, “If  borne out through additional research, a doctor could evaluate a patient based on age, especially among those over age 60, their APOE genotype and their TOMM40 status, to calculate an estimated disease risk and age of onset.”

Earlier research found gene APO4E is associated with increased risk and younger age development of Alzheimer’s disease. Fifty per cent of late-onset cases of Alzheimer’s are associated with APO4e gene but the cause of the remaining cases was not known.

“It now looks fairly clear that there are two major genes (APOE4 and TOMM40) and together they account for an estimated 85 to 90 percent of the genetic effect, ” Roses said.

The study was presented this week at the Alzheimer’s Association 2009 International Conference on Alzheimer’s Disease. The conference was held in Vienna, Austria.

A five year study of APOE genotypes and TOMM40, along with a drug trial to assess prevention or delay of Alzheimer’s disease onset is being planned by the Duke team.

Alzheimer’s disease is a degenerative brain disorder that afflicts 5.3 million Americans. If  further studies prove the TOOM40 gene could foretell the age of Alzheimer’s disease onset, we would be another step closer to understanding and preventing this debilitating disease.