Alzheimer's genome research furthered
Tuesday 31st May 2011
Scientists are closing in on the source of Alzheimer's disease through new gene research.
Recent research has seen the number of genes associated with Alzheimer's disease rise from four to eight.
Now a study published in Genome Medicine reports that scientists have furthered this research by uncovering the novel location within the MS4A gene cluster which is linked to the neurodegenerative condition.
Researchers in Spain and the USA performed a genome-wide association study (GWAS) on Alzheimer's patients and non-affected controls, and combined these results with data sets from four other GWAS studies.
Dr Agustin Ruiz commented: "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 blood test could soon be used to identify Alzheimer's disease, according to a study published in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease.
Scientists have identified a unique biochemical diagnosis able to detect which patients have the condition, based on the production of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA).
Written by Angela Newbury
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