(MENAFN) Researchers at Aarhus University in Denmark have identified a key mechanism by which the APOE4 gene increases the likelihood of developing Alzheimer’s disease — by depriving aging brain cells of essential nutrients, media reported Thursday.

According to the team, the APOE4 gene blocks older brain cells from using lipids as an energy source, effectively starving them and heightening vulnerability to Alzheimer’s.

"Our research shows that the brain is highly dependent on being able to switch from glucose to lipids with age, so when you are a carrier of the APOE4 gene variant – which inhibits that switch – you have a much higher risk of getting Alzheimer's," said Thomas Willnow, the research leader.

The report noted that roughly 24% of the global population carries the APOE4 gene, which raises the risk of Alzheimer’s two- to threefold. For the two to three percent of people who inherit two copies, the likelihood of developing the disease surges by a factor of ten.

Despite the findings, Willnow cautioned against genetic testing for APOE4, citing the absence of effective treatments for carriers. He added that understanding how brain function declines could help researchers develop strategies to delay or prevent Alzheimer’s.

"There are already drugs on the market that target the body's ability to utilize lipids. It may turn out that one of these agents can be used in the treatment – or even prevention – of Alzheimer's. I am very optimistic," he said.

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