Findings hailed as ‘huge step’ towards earlier testing and better treatment for Alzheimer’s
By Ian Sample
Scientists have discovered a trio of genetic mutations that account for nearly 100,000 cases of Alzheimer’s disease in Britain today.
Three genes that protect the brain from damage and ensure neurons work properly were found to be impaired in many patients with the disease, in the largest genetic study of the condition yet.
The work has been hailed as a “huge step” towards earlier testing and better treatment for Alzheimer’s and is the first in 15 years to find new genes associated with the disease.
Previously, scientists knew of only one gene, called APOE4, which increases the risk of developing the most common form of the disease.
“If we were able to remove the detrimental effects of these genes, we could reduce the proportion of people suffering Alzheimer’s disease by approximately 20%,” said Julie Williams, an Alzheimer’s researcher at Cardiff University. “In the UK alone this would prevent just under 100,000 people developing the disease.”
About 417,000 people have Alzheimer’s disease in Britain, the vast majority of whom have the late-onset form that develops after the age of 65. A very rare form of Alzheimer’s disease that runs in families can affect much younger people.
Scientists believe that genes account for 80% of our chance of developing late-onset Alzheimer’s, the rest coming from lifestyle and environmental factors.
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