Breakthrough in Alzheimer's genome research

New research into Alzheimer's disease genes could lead to new treatments for the condition, research has indicated.

The number of genes thought to be associated with the condition has recently increased from four to eight.

Now, research published in journal Genome Medicine, has revealed the novel location within the MS4A gene cluster which is associated with Alzheimer's disease.

Researchers performed a a genome-wide association study (GWAS) using participants with and without Alzheimer's and combined their findings with four data set from other GWAS studies.

Dr Agustin Ruiz, researcher, said: "Combining these data sets allowed us to look more accurately at small genetic defects. Using this technique we were able to confirm the presence of mutations (SNP) known to be associated with Alzheimer's disease, including those within the MS4A cluster, and we also found a novel site."

In other news, a study from the Feinstein Institute has found that a protein linked with leukaemia, the c-Abl molecule, could also be associated with the development of Alzheimer's disease.

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