Gene breakthrough in Alzheimer’s battle as scientists find it is possible to change the faulty DNA
- The chance of developing Alzheimer’s from faulty genes could be reduced
- About 14 per cent of people carry a gene which doubles risk of Alzheimer’s
- But study shows it is possible to change faulty gene into a less harmful variant
The chance of developing Alzheimer’s from faulty genes could be reduced following a breakthrough by scientists.
About 14 per cent of people carry a gene called APOE4, which doubles the risk of getting Alzheimer’s.
But a study by scientists at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology shows it is possible to change the faulty gene into a less harmful variant with a lower chance of leading to Alzheimer’s.
The chance of developing Alzheimer’s from faulty genes could be reduced following a breakthrough by scientists
It is hoped that in the future, stem cells with the altered gene could be introduced into the brains of Alzheimer’s sufferers to reverse the disease in a technique known as gene therapy.
The researchers took stem cells from a human donor and modified them to change the faulty gene to the lower-risk variant.
Study leader Li-Huei Tsai said: ‘APOE4 is by far the most significant risk gene for late-onset, sporadic Alzheimer’s disease.
‘However, despite that, there really has not been a whole lot of research done on it. We still don’t have a very good idea of why APOE4 increases the disease risk.’
The researchers said their findings offered a potential way to treat Alzheimer’s.
About 14 per cent of people carry a gene called APOE4, which doubles the risk of getting Alzheimer’s
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