Alzheimer's gene has been neutralised in human brain cells for the first time, paving the way for a new treatment
A gene strongly associated with Alzheimer's disease has been neutralised in human brain cells for the first time.
Scientists have 'turned off' a protein associated with the apoE4 gene, which damages nerve cells, leading to dementia.
The researchers hope the finding could pave the way for a treatment that halts the disease but add therapies that are successful in the laboratory or on animals often fail in patients.
Having one copy of the apoE4 gene doubles a person's risk of Alzheimer's, while two copies increases an individual's risk by 12 times. Around one in four people carry apoE4.
Alzheimer's disease affects approximately 5.5 million people in the US.
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