Breakthrough clue to help predict who could get Alzheimer's disease
Australian scientists have made a dramatic breakthrough that could predict who's at risk of developing dementia.
They've found a link between Alzheimer's disease and a gene, carried by one in five people.
Researchers at the Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health in Melbourne and at Stanford University in California have identified the gene ApoE4 that is thought to increase the rate of amyloid - the toxic protein thought to be responsible for Alzheimer's.
It's a fairly common gene and occurs in about 20 per cent of the population.
This is the case for Geoff Fairhall who at the age of 51 was diagnosed with dementia.
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Dr Yen Ying Lim from Florey Institute said those with the gene are at higher risk of developing dementia.
"Those with the gene are more likely to start declining mentally up to 13 years before those who don't carry the variation," she said.
Researchers are now hoping to further the American study and recruit 5000 Australians aged between 40 and 65.
Over five years they will track subtle changes in their memory and thinking function.
"At the end of the study, what we hope to do is be able to predict who and who will not develop alzheimers disease in the future," Dr Lim said.
For more information visit brainproject.org.au or email healthybrainproject@florey.edu.au.
