New Alzheimer's insight
- 28 Oct
One of the largest studies into the genetics of Alzheimer's disease has found double the number of previous genes associated with the disorder.
Researchers are becoming closer to understanding the causes of Alzheimer's disease with the largest study into the genetics of the disorder. Findings suggest that at least 20 genes play a role in the common late-onset form of Alzheimer's, which is more than double the number of scientists had previously discovered.
This work gives researchers an extraordinary insight into the biological pathways that drive the disorder whilst raising the prospect of a test that could determine a person's susceptibility to the disease. This test could be helpful in the future if preventative drugs become available, reports the Guardian.
The researchers at the Pasteur Institute in Lille, used genetic information from over 74,000 Alzheimer's patients and healthy controls to find regions of DNA that were more common in people who had the disease. As well as discovering genes already implicated in the disease the researchers also 11 gene regions that had never been linked to the disorder before.
The findings highlight how complex the disease is and show that it is driven by changes in inflammatory responses, a complex immune system, the way proteins are handled in the brain and how neurons talk to one another.
One of the most intriguing results from the study published in Nature Genetics in the discovery of a risk-raising gene involved in the immune system which is already thougt to place people at a greater risk of MS and Parkinson's disease. "This helps us understand the pathophysiology of the disease," said Amouyel.
"If we are able to develop preventative treatments for Alzheimer's disease, they would need to be used very early on," said Philippe Amouyel, the researchers leader. "This could help us identify people who are more prone to the disease by estimating their individual risk."
Head of research at Alzheimer's Society, James Pickett says: "This truly global effort has doubled the number of genes linked to Alzheimer's and showed what can be achieved when researchers collaborate. We now need continued global investment into dementia research to understand exactly how these genes affect the disease process."
Alzheimer's disease is the most common form of dementia affecting around 500,000 people in Britain and one in fourteen people over the age of 65 are affected.
Image source: http://www.sxc.hu/photo/982475
Related articles
- 10 Sep
Young people with learning disabilities more likely to be abused
A group of children’s charities have said that young people with disabilities have the “same vulnerabilities” as all young people but face extra “barriers” to getting protection or support,...
- 07 Sep
Success for a disability sport programme
The programme ran for three weeks and included multi-sport camps at Aberdeen Sports Village, reports the Mearns Leader. Chair of Aberdeenshire Council’s Education, Learning and Leisure Committee...
- 21 Jul
Hartlepool to open a disability centre
Work has begun on the Hartlepool Borough Council project which aims to provide the Centre for Independent Living on the site of the current Havelock Centre in Burbank, reports The Hartlepool Mail.It...
- 14 Jul
Reform for care of adults with learning disabilities criticised for being slow
Following the care home abuse scandal at Winterbourne, Sir Stephen Bubb headed a review into care home abuse, which was published in November, reports the BBC.England's chief nursing officer said...
- 18 Jun
Campaigners warn that people with disabilities are losing rights due to government cuts
Charities are concerned that the rights of people with learning disabilities to live independent lives are slipping due to government cuts to benefits and social care, reports the Guardian. A letter...
- 11 Jun
Concern over disability benefits following council change
On the 30th of June a £500m Independent Living Fund will be in the control of local authorities, leaving people fearing how the benefit allowance for disabled adults will be affected, reports the...
- 21 May
Victims of disability hate crime are being let down
Police, prosecutors and probations services have failed to bring in need change over the past two years, a report by the Criminal Justice Inspectorate has found, reports the BBC.The CPS, police and...
- 08 May
New initiative to support young people with disabilities
Liberty Staffordshire Community Interest Company have been developed to maximise opportunities for young people due to growing concern they could be left isolated following the withdrawal of...
- 05 May
How technology is helping people with disabilities
At the exhibit people presented all-terrain wheelchairs, adapted smartphone for people whose fingers can't cope with normal devices, wheelchairs that allow the user to become level with the people...
- 01 May
Charities call for action on accessible housing
Leonard Cheshire Disability charity has told The Yorkshire Post that the lack of housing which is accessible for people with disabilities must become and election issue and is calling for the...
Support Solutions 5th National Housing Support & Social Care Conference 2014 Good organisation from beginning to end. Excellent keynote speaker. Relevant and important topics for discussion which were to everyone's advantage within the supported housing sector. B.H - Stevenage Haven
