Alzheimer's disease may be driven by genetics more than previously thought, with the APOE gene playing a key role[1][2]. Research suggests that up to nine out of ten cases of Alzheimer's disease may be linked to variants in this gene[1]. The APOE gene has three main variants – ApoE2, ApoE3 and ApoE4[1]. The ApoE4 variant represents a threefold greater risk of developing the disease, and if present twice, the risk increases up to tenfold[2]. Scientists from Brno discovered that the toxic variant of ApoE4 differs from other variants by only one mutation, which, however, has huge consequences for the behavior of the protein and the development of dementia[1]. The APOE gene affects the transport of fat into nerve cells, and the ApoE4 variant brings more fat into brain cells, which can contribute to amyloid build-up[3]. These findings open up new possibilities for the development of drugs aimed at influencing the accumulation of fat in the brain or gene therapy[3].