Slowly but surely, medical scientists are increasing their knowledge about the role of genetics in Alzheimer’s disease. It’s all part of the work being carried out by the International Genomic Alzheimer’s Project.
Roughly 5.7 million Americans suffer from Alzheimer’s disease, a loss of brain function that often affects memory, thinking, and behavior, according to data from the Alzheimer’s Association. The disease often worsens over time, but new research may help experts get one step closer to a cure.
Scientists at the National Institute of Health say they have discovered a gene that is linked to the disease. It’s becomes yet another piece to the complex puzzle of this disease that typically plagues men and women over the age of 60.
An Exciting Period of Discovery
“New technologies are allowing us to look at subtle genetic differences among large groups of study participants. By comparing people diagnosed with Alzheimer’s with people free of disease symptoms, researchers are now able to discern elusive genetic factors that may contribute to the risk of developing this very devastating disease,” said Richard J. Hodes, M.D., director of the National Institute on Aging (NIA). “We are entering an exciting period of discoveries in genetics that may provide new insights about novel disease pathways that can be explored for development of therapies.”
While there is still much to learn about the complex disease, researchers believe each new piece of information will help in the long-term effort to find a cure.
“Researchers are looking for genetic variations that may have a smaller effect but still play a role in the disease,” said Gerard Schellenberg, one of several scientists involved in the International Genomic Alzheimer’s Project. “Our findings bring us one step closer to a fuller understanding of the genetic basis of this complex disease, although more study is needed to determine the role these genetic factors may play in the onset and progression of Alzheimer’s.”
Alzheimer’s Statistics
According to the Alzheimer’s Association, “Alzheimer’s is the sixth-leading cause of death in the country and the only cause of death among the top 10 in the United States that cannot be prevented, cured, or even slowed.” Based on mortality data from 2000-2015, death rates have declined for most major diseases, while deaths from Alzheimer’s disease have risen 123 percent during the same period.
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