Forbes reports on the genetic component of Alzheimer's: "Genes may play a much bigger role in Alzheimer's disease than previously thought, a new study involving twins suggests. In fact, Alzheimer's disease may have a genetic cause in up to 80 percent of cases ... The study, which involves data on nearly 12,000 elderly participants in the Swedish Twin Registry, is 10 times larger than any previously done." From what researchers presently know, Alzheimer's is the end result of biochemical processes that take place in everyone. Your genes likely determine the rate at which harmful side-effects accumulate, and the degree to which you resist that harm. Live long enough and you'll suffer neurodegeneration - which is why curing Alzheimer's and other age-related neurodegenerative conditions is so important for the future of healthy life extension.

Link: http://www.forbes.com/lifestyle/health/feeds/hscout/2006/02/07/hscout530854.html