This gene protects you from Alzheimer's and Parkinson's

Researchers identified a gene allele, known as DR4, that offers more than a 10% average reduction in the risk of Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. 

The study, involving hundreds of thousands of people from various ancestries, suggests a potential role of the tau protein in both conditions.

The DR4 allele prompts the immune system to target a specific segment of tau, potentially disrupting the formation of harmful brain aggregates. This discovery opens doors for targeted vaccines that could slow or even halt the progression of these neurodegenerative diseases.

The DR4 allele is a candidate for "protective autoimmunity," as it leads the immune system to target a specific, troublesome form of the tau protein.

Source: PNAS