Progress in Alzheimer's Research

Some very encouraging news was recently announced that scientist identified new genes that are associated with late stage Alzheimer’s. While other researchers have identified over 70 genes thus far (see link), this helps the understanding of the disease and will help all researchers.

This from the National Institute of Health:

In the largest genome-wide association study (GWAS) reported to date involving Alzheimer’s disease, scientists have identified two new possible genetic risk factors for late-onset Alzheimer’s, the most common form of the disease. The study, which pooled DNA samples from a number of European and U.S. groups, not only associated variations in the sequence of the CLU and PICALM genes with increased risk, but also found another 13 gene variants that merit further investigation, according to findings presented in the September 6, 2009, online issue of Nature Genetics. Involving more than 16,000 DNA samples, one feature of this research was its use of publicly shared DNA samples and databases, including several supported by the National Institute on Aging (NIA) and other components of the National Institutes of Health.

To date, only four genes have been definitively associated with Alzheimer’s disease. Three mutated genes — amyloid precursor protein (APP) and the presenilins (PS1 and PS2) — have been shown to cause the rare, early-onset familial form of the disease, which mostly occurs in middle age. Only one gene variant, apolipoprotein e4 or APO-e4, has been confirmed as a significant risk factor gene for the common form of late-onset Alzheimer’s, which typically strikes after age 65. GWAS studies look for genetic associations with a disease in the DNA on all of the chromosomes in a specific population of individuals. To date, such studies have been done on relatively small numbers of samples and have not been able to identify genetic variations of smaller effect. But now, GWAS studies in very large sample sets are able to identify these elusive genetic variations.

“GWAS research is entering a new phase of discovery, with much larger sample sizes made available for analysis due to highly collaborative researchers and rapid DNA sample and data sharing,” said Marcelle Morrison-Bogorad, Ph.D., director of the NIA Division of Neuroscience. “Identifying gene variants like CLU and PICALM advances our understanding of the many genetic factors that may contribute to overall risk for this devastating neurological disorder and how these genes affect the development of Alzheimer’s. This knowledge may then lead to novel disease pathways that can be targeted to develop new ments.”

You can read more at this link.

While this news is encouraging, more research is still needed but hope for a world without Alzheimer’s grows.

Climb On!

Alan

Please remember: Memories are Everything