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(Ivanhoe Newswire) Researchers found a new gene that puts older people at increased risk for Alzheimers disease. The finding could lead to new and better treatments for the condition.
The investigators explain the new gene dubbed CALHM1 serves as a channel for calcium in the brain. But certain variations of the gene can also influence amyloid- peptides, which are responsible for the deadly plaque build up characteristic of Alzheimers disease.
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The good news is the gene activity is restricted to the brain, so new drugs might be developed that dont have the same level of side effects as other drugs under development for Alzheimers disease. Those drugs target enzymes involved in the development of plaque, but since the same enzymes are found in other parts of the body as well, side effects make them problematic.
We are very excited about the idea that CALHM1 could be an important target for anti-amyloid therapy in Alzheimers disease, study author Philippe Marambaud, of the Feinstein Institute for Medical Research and Albert Einstein College of Medicine, was quoted as saying.
The CALHM1 gene is the second gene to be linked to the development of late onset Alzheimers disease. Several genes have been associated with early development of the condition.
SOURCE: Cell, published online June 25, 2008
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