Researchers isolated genes that can delay Alzheimer's outbreak

Investigations on Colombian extended family with 5000 members
A research team from the John Curtin School of Medical Research has succeeded in identifying a network of nine genes that play an important role in the development of Alzheimer's disease. The new findings can help scientists develop new therapies to delay the onset of the disease. The results of the study were published in the medical journal Journal Molecular Psychiatry.
For the purpose of the study, a family of about 5,000 members was studied. The large, very closely related family, lives in a region in the western mountains of Colombia. Many of the members suffer from a type of hereditary Alzheimer's disease.

The researchers found that some genes are able to delay the onset of the disease, while other genes accelerate the process of the disease. The new study now makes it possible to accurately identify the function of these genes and to measure the accuracy of the effects on the onset of the disease. If we were able to determine how to specifically slow the disease, it would be a "great achievement and would have profound implications for future Alzheimer's therapies," said lead author of the study, Professor Arcos Burgos of the Australian National University..

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It would make more sense and more promising to work to slow the onset of the disease than to try to prevent the disease completely. For example, if the disease were only slowed by an average of one year on average, nine million fewer people would have Alzheimer's disease by 2050, Professor Brugos added in a statement.

Certain genes may delay Alzheimer's outbreak by 17 years
The team of researchers examined the variable age at which dementia started in the family. With the help of family members, they were able to factor in some environmental factors and trace their genetic predisposition to Alzheimer's disease, to a founder mutation. This carried a person who came to the mountainous area of ​​Colombia about 500 years ago.

The research team was then able to isolate the nine genes involved in Alzheimer's disease. Some of the genes were able to delay the onset of the disease for up to 17 years, the researchers said. The scientists also found genes that can accelerate dementia. (As)