Man Carrying Alzheimer’s Gene Remains Symptom-Free at 76, Offeringโฃ Hope for โคNew Treatments
BOSTON, โคMA – A 76-year-old โman fromโค Massachusetts isโ defying medical expectations by remaining cognitively normal despite carrying a rare genetic mutation guaranteeing the development of Alzheimer’s disease, baffling researchers and offering a potential pathway to groundbreaking new โฃtreatments. The case of โMichael Whitney is prompting intensive study โขinto the biological factors that may be protecting himโฃ from the devastating neurological condition.
Whitney carriesโ a mutation in the APP gene,a genetic anomaly known toโ cause early-onset familial Alzheimer’s. Individuals with this mutation almost invariably develop symptoms byโ their late 60s. Yet, after 14 years of observation and rigorous testing, Whitney shows no clinical signs โof the disease. His caseโฃ is being investigated by researchers atโค Massachusetts Generalโค Hospital, who hope to unlock theโ secrets of his resilience.
“Looking at the advances they’ve made over the last 14 โyears – it’s amazing,” said Dr.Rudolph Tanzi, director of the Genetics and Aging Research Unit at Massachusetts General hospital, โin an interview with Fox news Digital. “It’s imperative that we keep going.”
Alzheimer’sโข diseaseโ affects over 6.7 million americans, according to โขthe Alzheimer’s Association, and is a leading cause of death. While most cases are sporadic, a small percentage – less than โฃ5% – are linked to rare genetic mutations like the one Whitney carries. Understanding why some individuals โคwith โthese mutations remain unaffected coudl revolutionize preventative strategies andโ therapeutic interventions.
Researchers have been conducting regular cognitive and neurological assessments,and also brain scans,on Whitneyโข since 2009. They have also analyzed his cerebrospinal โฃfluid and blood, and have obtained tissue samples for further study. The dataโ collected so far has revealed no evidence of amyloid plaque buildup,โข a hallmarkโค of Alzheimer’s disease, in Whitney’sโค brain.
“We โฃhave made all โofโ the data we have available, and also the tissue samples,” explained Dr. Jose Llibre-Guerra, a neurologistโฃ involved inโข Whitney’s case.โ “If researchers want to request those โto do additional analysis, that’s something we would welcome.”
Whitney remains dedicated to the research, viewing it as his “third career.” He acknowledges the demanding nature of the testingโข process but remains steadfast โคin his commitment.
“It’s become โคmy calling,” Whitney said. “When we go for testing, โit’s a pretty rigorous day, but after 14 years, I’m used to it now, so that’sโ not a concern.”
“As โขlong as they need me, โI’ll be here. I’m in it for the long haul.”
Researchers are hopeful that further examination into Whitney’s case will uncover the biological mechanisms protecting him from Alzheimer’s, perhaps leadingโ to new targets for โdrug development and preventative measures for thoseโ at high risk.