A Longevity Variant Protects Brain DNA, Reducing Alzheimer's Risk, Study Finds

Buck Institute researchers find that the APOE2 gene variant helps neurons resist DNA damage and cellular aging, which may explain the lower Alzheimer's risk. In stem-cell–derived neurons and mice, APOE2-expressing cells showed less DNA damage, better repair, and resistance to senescence, and APOE2 protein could shield APOE4 neurons as well, suggesting new therapeutic avenues—though exact mechanisms are still unknown and the study used stress-induced conditions.