Gene breakthrough in Alzheimer’s battle

Gene breakthrough in Alzheimer’s battle as scientists find that those carrying the faulty gene can be changed

  • 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 

About 14 per cent of people carry a gene called APOE4, which doubles the risk of getting Alzheimer’s 



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