Multiple genes have been found to be linked to the cause Alzheimer’s disease and result in the disease in different ways. This connection can help better identify targets for prevention therapy by recognizing the different ways the genes lead to neuronal death.

Neurons, astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, and microglial cells are all different cell types found in the brain, specific gene variants had different proportions of these cells in the brain. Scientists at the Washington School of Medicine in St. Louis are working on figuring out how each gene is different and what it does in the brain can help the understanding of how it leads to disease and the best ways to treat it.

References:

Dryden J. Genes linked to Alzheimer’s contribute to damage in different ways. The Source. June 8, 2018.


Trisha Wise-Draper, MD, PhD. (credit: Joe Fuqua, University of Cincinnati)


Researchers at the University of Cincinnati (UC) have discovered that a human cancer-causing gene, called DEK, can be detected in the plasma of head and neck cancer patients. DEK may help doctors understand how a person’s immune system could be used to treat cancer or predict outcomes for patients.


(Source:  https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2016-02/uoca-cgf021516.php)