They assessed
gene activity at time points known to correspond with key phases
of disease: the «induction phase,» the time before the peak level
of photoreceptor cell death; the «execution phase,» when the highest rates
of photoreceptor cell death occur; and the «chronic phase,» during which photoreceptor cell death
continues at somewhat reduced levels.
«When we looked specifically at the level
of lifetime learning, we found that carriers
of the APOE4
gene who had higher education and
continued to learn through middle age had fewer amyloid deposition on imaging when compared to those who did not
continue with intellectual
activity in middle age,» she said.