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Alzheimer's disease and some speculations about the evolution of its modifiers
1Department of Biological Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, USA. Sapolsky@stanford.edu
Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences
|February 24, 2001
Abstract:
In this paper we consider the evolution of Alzheimer's-like neuropathology in the aging primate brain. In particular, we examine the evolutionary pressures that have likely selected for the neuroprotective effects of estrogen and of the apolipoprotein E2 and E3 isoforms. We analyze this in the context of the altricial nature of new-born primates, their long period of dependency on competent maternal care, and the requirement of cognitive intactness for such competency.