We looked in a region of chromosome 7, where there are hundreds of genes, and we noticed that there was a cluster of taste receptor genes in this region.
We don't know which of those genes is most likely to harbor this particular risk factor for Alzheimer's disease, but we're getting closer. We're now trying to nail down which one of these six genes is the most likely to be involved.
There are a few genes that have been implicated in the development of early-onset Alzheimer's disease, but other than APOE, no genes have been found that increase risk for the more common, late-onset form of the disease.
When we understand more about the genes and the environmental factors that influence someone's risk, I think you will be better able to predict who is at highest risk and then target your prevention strategies at those high-risk individuals.