Possible New Gene Linked to Alzheimer's

Alzheimer's Association
Monday, 27 October 1997

New research reporting the possible location of a second susceptibility gene for Alzheimer's disease must be viewed with appropriate caution, according to the Alzheimer's Association.

"The finding of another possible susceptibility gene is very exciting, " said Zaven Khachaturian, Ph.D., director of the Association's Ronald & Nancy Reagan Research Institute. "However, the locations of other possible Alzheimer genes have been reported, but not validated by replication. We hope the research community will proceed quickly to attempt to replicate these findings, as they did with the APOE gene."

According to the Association, examining the genetics of Alzheimer's disease has proven to be a very valuable approach. Apolipoprotein-E, also known as APOE, was the first major genetic risk factor identified for late-onset Alzheimer's disease. It was discovered in 1993 by this same team of researchers. Three other identified genes are associated with rare, early-onset forms of the disease.

"The discovery of additional susceptibility genes for Alzheimer's disease is very important because they impact both a person's likelihood of getting Alzheimer's and the age of onset of the disease, " Khachaturian said. "By finding out how these genes interact with other genes, and with various factors in the environment, we'll be in a much better position, in the future, to help doctors advise people about their risk of getting Alzheimer's, and develop treatments that can stop or delay the onset of symptoms. "

"Complete Genomic Screen in Late-Onset Familial Alzheimer Disease: Evidence for a New Locus on Chromosome 12, " by Margaret Pericak-Vance, Ph.D., of Duke University Medical Center, Jonathan Haines, Ph.D., of Vanderbilt University Medical Center, and colleagues, appears in the October 15, 1997, issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association. The study was funded, in part, by the Alzheimer's Association, along with the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institute on Aging, and the Joseph and Kathleen Bryan Alzheimer's Disease Research Center research fund.

"As we learn more about susceptibility genes and other factors that affect the onset of Alzheimer's, the possibility of delaying the disease becomes more real. If we can push back the onset of Alzheimer's disease for just five years, we can reduce by 50 percent the number of people who get the disease, add years of independent functioning to people's lives, reduce the amount of care they need, and save this country billions in healthcare costs. "

The goal of the Alzheimer's Association is to accelerate efforts to delay the onset of, and eventually prevent, Alzheimer's disease. The Alzheimer's Association is the largest national voluntary health organization dedicated to conquering Alzheimer's disease through research and providing support and assistance to those afflicted with the disease and their caregivers. Having awarded more than $58 million in research grants, the Association is the largest private funder of Alzheimer research. You can reach the Alzheimer's Association at (800) 272-3900.

For more information, or to contact Alzheimer's Association, see their website at: www.alz.org