Scientists announce: Discovery of a gene that reduces Alzheimer's risk

U.S. scientists have discovered a gene that could reduce the risk of Alzheimer's by up to 71 percent. Experts announced that they examined clinical studies and genome sequences of tens of thousands of people from different ethnic groups.

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Scientists announce: Discovery of a gene that reduces Alzheimer's risk

It was stated that the discovery could lead to new treatments for Alzheimer's disease.

Associate Professor Çağhan Kızıl, a genetics expert from the Columbia University Department of Neurology, said that they revealed the existence of a genetic factor that could prevent the disease in the study.

Assoc. Prof. Kızıl announced that they discovered that a variation in the gene encoding a protein called Fibronectin significantly reduces the risk of developing Alzheimer's.

'ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS HAVE AN IMPACT ON THE DISEASE'

In a statement on his X account, Kızıl summarized the following:

"In our new study, we uncovered a genetic variation that reduces the risk of Alzheimer's in humans by 71 percent, as well as the mechanism of action for this change. This finding could protect millions of people from the disease and offer new paths in the prevention and treatment of Alzheimer's.

This study, conducted at Columbia Med and involving researchers from institutes such as Stanford, Yale, and Mayo Clinic, reveals the existence of a genetic factor that could prevent the disease. APOE is a protein that carries fat in the blood and tissues.

A specific version of this protein is called APOEe4, and this version is a genetic factor that increases the risk of Alzheimer's disease. In particular, in individuals carrying the APOEe4 allele, the disease can appear at much earlier ages and more severely compared to those who do not carry it.

However, not every APOEe4 carrier develops Alzheimer's, which shows that other genetic and environmental factors also have a significant impact on the disease.

In our study, we discovered that a variation in the gene encoding a protein called Fibronectin significantly reduces the risk of developing Alzheimer's."

'REMOVES HARMFUL SUBSTANCES FROM THE BRAIN'

Noting that Fibronectin is part of the protective layer around the blood-brain barrier, Kızıl stated, "Normally, in Alzheimer's patients, excessive fibronectin accumulates in this barrier and contributes to the progression of the disease. However, the genetic variation we discovered prevents this excessive accumulation, thereby protecting brain cells. At the root of this protection lies the removal of harmful substances that accumulate in the brain during Alzheimer's.

In our research, we examined clinical studies and genome sequences of tens of thousands of people from different ethnic groups. To test our findings experimentally, we worked with our Alzheimer's model in zebrafish.

Experiments conducted on zebrafish models showed how the level of fibronectin facilitates the clearance of amyloid plaques that lead to Alzheimer's disease. These findings could start a new era in Alzheimer's disease research, improve the quality of life for millions of people, and lead to the development of new drugs," he said.

News Source: 12punto