Researchers find Down, Alzheimer's link

Stanford University researchers say they may have found a key that causes people with Down syndrome to develop early Alzheimer's disease.

The findings, published in Thursday's edition of the journal Neuron, are said to offer a lengthened target for drug research and hope for treatment because people with Down syndrome are living longer than before.

Scientists say Down syndrome affects about 350,000 Americans, causing mental retardation and a risk of premature Alzheimer's dementia, The Wall Street Journal reports.

Stanford's Ahmad Salehi, Jean-Dominique Delacroix and William C. Mobley, lead authors of the study, zeroed in on a gene known as App (for amyloid precursor protein), already a known culprit in other forms of Alzheimer's.

Copyright 2006 by United Press International

Citation: Researchers find Down, Alzheimer's link (2006, July 6) retrieved 28 March 2024 from https://medicalxpress.com/news/2006-07-alzheimer-link.html
This document is subject to copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study or research, no part may be reproduced without the written permission. The content is provided for information purposes only.

Explore further

Smartwatches can pick up abnormal heart rhythms in kids, study finds

 shares

Feedback to editors