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Washington Post: Research Points to a Key Alzheimer’s Risk factor Key Terms: Amino Acids: An organic molecule with a hydrogen atom, amino group, an acid group, an â€Å"R† group which are all covalently bonded to a hydrogen atom. Genes: Unit of information about a heritable trait passed from parents to their offspring. Hypothesis: possible explanation, of a phenomenon, one that has potential to be proved false by experimental tests. Statins: cholesterol lowering drugs. Text References: Chapter 16: Recombinant DNA and Genetic Engineering- pg. 741-743 on vitamins and the essential amino acids. Summary: Researchers believe that homocysteine, an amino acid in the blood, is the cause for an increased number of deaths from Alzheimer’s disease. Chances of getting this disease are believed to almost be doubled due to high content of the amino acid in the blood. Scientists believe now that they can determine people who are at greater risk and also be able correct the problem. The answer, scientists believe, is to simply lower the high amounts of homocysteine in the blood by taking certain vitamin supplements.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  New research by scientists have led us to the conclusion that the higher amounts of homocysteine in the blood the greater chance of getting Alzheimer’s disease. In the late 1980’s , scientists studied 1,100 participants all with the average age of 75, to see what amount of homocysteine was present in their blood. Approximately eight years later, 10% of those tested had developed dementia, most of its attribute to Alzheimer’s. The 30% which had the highest content of homocysteine in their blood had twice the risk of developing the disease.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The data found by scientists has lead them to believe homocysteine is the cause for elevated occurrences of Alzheimers disease. Scientists believe that homocysteine accounts for 15% of the populations risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. Obviously if the 15% of those cases were prevented that would mean a much fewer amount of cases of Alzheimer’s disease from occurring.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Willaim Jagust a neurologist from the University of California at Davis tends to disagree with the results. Dr. Jagust states, â€Å"If we lower homocysteine levels, will we lower the risk of Alzheimer’s disease?† He questions homocysteine because he says there are many other factors which play a role involving dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.