Genetic variations discovered in two genes associated with Alzheimer’s disease may provide researchers with clues that can lead to a cure for the brain disease. British researchers have discovered that genetic mutations could account for approximately 20 percent of Alzheimer’s disease. People possessing this genetic mutation have been shown to have an 10 to 15 percent higher risk of developing late-onset Alzheimer’s.
If researchers can find a way to remove the effects of these mutations, the number of Alzheimer’s disease cases could potentially be dropped 100,000 just in the Unite Kingdom.
As part of their Alzheimer’s disease research, the scientists from MacIntyre Schaffer have identified these new genetic markers for Alzheimer’s and Alzheimer’s relate dementia, the first new discovery since 1993.
Some speculate that these new genetic markers may allow for the development for a reliable genetic test for Alzheimer’s disease. However, the researchers caution that such a genetic test for Alzheimer’s disease will be unavailable for many years.
This new discovery may provide insight into new Alzheimer’s disease treatments. With Alzheimer’s disease being the most common form of dementia, developing effect treatments for this brain disease utilizing such genetic markers would be a major advancement in Alzheimer’s research.
