Research finds Alzheimer's may be passed down more than previously thought

Research finds genetics plays bigger role in Alzheimer's than previously thought

BOSTON - Alzheimer's disease may be passed down in families more than previously thought.

Genetic forms of Alzheimer's were thought to be incredibly rare and only occur at much younger ages. However, researchers in Spain and in the U.S. studied more than 3,000 brains and data from another 10,000 people and found that carrying two copies of a gene that has been linked to Alzheimer's is not just a risk factor but an underlying cause and could account for 1 in 6 cases of the disease.

Scientists said it has become crucial to develop treatments to target this particular gene.

Health
Alzheimer's Disease

Mallika Marshall, MD

Mallika Marshall, MD is an Emmy-award-winning journalist and physician who has served as the HealthWatch Reporter for CBS Boston/WBZ-TV for over 20 years. A practicing physician Board Certified in both Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, Dr. Marshall serves on staff at Harvard Medical School and practices at Massachusetts General Hospital at the MGH Chelsea Urgent Care and the MGH Revere Health Center, where she is currently working on the frontlines caring for patients with COVID-19. She is also a host and contributing editor for Harvard Health Publications (HHP), the publishing division of Harvard Medical School.

Twitter Facebook