Researchers identify Alzheimers causing gene
Posted on: 07/Oct/2015 11:02:24 AM
A study published in the journal Brain has claimed to have found a gene that increases the risk of Alzheimer`s disease. The study was conducted by researchers at the Indiana University`s School of Medicine. The gene is in the immune system of the body. Called IL1RAP, the gene causes amyloid plaque accumulation and has an effect on the APOE e4 allele which is known to be associated with the disease.
The study comprised of 500 people. The researchers used positron emission tomography imaging to assess the amyloid deposits in the brain. They, then, assessed the same after two years, after which, they conducted a genome wide analysis to see which genetic variants were accumulated with the plaque accumulation, and the rate of accumulation as well. The results showed that APOE e4 was the culprit. During the study, the researchers found that the IL1RAP gene variant also contributed to the accumulation.
Says one of the team of researchers, This was an intriguing finding because IL1RAP is known to play a central role in the activity of microglia, the immune system cells that act as the brain`s garbage disposal system and the focus of heavy investigation in a variety of neurodegenerative diseases... These findings suggest that targeting the IL1RAP immune pathway may be a viable approach for promoting the clearance of amyloid deposits and fighting an important cause of progression in Alzheimer`s disease... There are available drugs that target the IL-1/IL1RAP pathway for rheumatological and inflammatory conditions. There are also antibodies against IL1RAP that are being tested to treat certain types of leukemia.
