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New insights into the genetic causes of Alzheimer's and other dementias

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Peer-reviewed: This work was reviewed and scrutinised by relevant independent experts.

Observational study: A study in which the subject is observed to see if there is a relationship between two or more things (eg: the consumption of diet drinks and obesity). Observational studies cannot prove that one thing causes another, only that they are linked.

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International scientists, including Australians, have identified 42 new areas of DNA that are linked to the risk of developing Alzheimer's Disease and other dementias, as well as confirming the existence of 33 areas of DNA previously thought to be involved. Some of these DNA areas are related to the production of a pair of proteins implicated in Alzheimer's Disease, amyloid-beta, and tau. The scientists used their findings to refine a previously existing 'genetic risk score', which can predict a person's risk of developing Alzheimer's or other dementias based on their genetics.

Journal/conference: Nature Genetics

Link to research (DOI): 10.1038/s41588-022-01024-z

Organisation/s: The University of New South Wales, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Curtin University, Monash University

Funder: This work was funded by a grant (EADB) from the EU Joint Programme – Neurodegenerative Disease Research. INSERM UMR1167 is also funded by the INSERM, Institut Pasteur de Lille, Lille Métropole Communauté Urbaine and French government’s LABEX DISTALZ program (development of innovative strategies for a transdisciplinary approach to AD).

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