Dazzler
09-07-2009, 08:33 AM
Scientists working in seven countries announced they had uncovered variants of three genes which play a role in Alzheimer's, a discovery that should throw open many new avenues for tackling this tragic, mind-killing disease.
The biggest cause of dementia, Alzheimer's has a strong heritability -- nearly one in four cases are believed to have a genetic cause -- but precisely which genes are to blame and how their fiendish mechanism works remain elusive.
So far, three culprit genes have been found in "familial" Alzheimer's, a rare, early-onset form in which the disease shows up before the age of 60. This type accounts for less than three percent of all cases.
more on the story HERE (http://news.sg.msn.com/topstories/article.aspx?cp-documentid=3571118)
The biggest cause of dementia, Alzheimer's has a strong heritability -- nearly one in four cases are believed to have a genetic cause -- but precisely which genes are to blame and how their fiendish mechanism works remain elusive.
So far, three culprit genes have been found in "familial" Alzheimer's, a rare, early-onset form in which the disease shows up before the age of 60. This type accounts for less than three percent of all cases.
more on the story HERE (http://news.sg.msn.com/topstories/article.aspx?cp-documentid=3571118)