Khaberni - A new scientific study conducted by researchers at "University College London" (University College London) has revealed significant progress in understanding the underlying causes of Alzheimer's disease and types of dementia, which may open the door to the development of drugs capable of preventing or treating the disease.
The researchers, in a study published in the journal "npj Dementia," a scientific journal specialized in dementia research and subjected to rigorous scientific review, affiliated with the "Nature" group, said that a gene known as "Apolipoprotein E" (APOE) may be linked to about half of dementia cases, and up to 90% of Alzheimer's disease cases.
The research team at University College London explained that this gene along with an associated protein may constitute an "underappreciated pharmacological target," indicating that addressing their effects might allow for the prevention of a substantial portion of dementia cases or mitigating their progression.
Although the "Apolipoprotein E" gene has been known for years for its association with Alzheimer's disease, the researchers emphasize that its true role might have been underestimated, and researcher Dylan Williams from University College London believes that the key to preventing the disease may lie in finding ways to stop the influence of this gene and understanding its interaction with other potential factors such as social isolation or cholesterol levels.
Researcher Dylan Williams said that analysis of data involving more than 450,000 people suggests that a large number of Alzheimer's cases could be prevented, clarifying that the role of the "Apolipoprotein E" gene is crucial in the disease's development.
He added that most cases of Alzheimer's would not have occurred at all if it were not for the effects of this gene, apart from other genetic factors or conditions that individuals with these genetic variants experience in their lives.
The results of this study, published on January 9th, come in the context of a series of recent scientific discoveries in the field of dementia research.
A joint team from the University of Exeter (University of Exeter) in Britain and Banner Health (Banner Health) in the US recently announced that indicators of Alzheimer's disease can be detected through a simple blood test.
The University of Rochester (University of Rochester) in the US, earlier this month, revealed new findings that might explain why women are more susceptible to dementia compared to men, indicating a potential role for immune cells in the brain in this disparity.
