Researchers have found that a new rare genetic trait could delay the onset of Scientists have reported that 27 members of an extended Colombian family, who carried a genetic variant called Christchurch, developed Alzheimer's several years later than expected. The study builds on earlier from 2019 involving a unique family known for their predisposition to Alzheimer's. It was published in The New England Journal of Medicine.
This extended Colombian family hails from Medellin where over 1,000 of them carry a mutation known as the Paisa mutation, which typically leads to memory and thinking problems in their mid-40s. This mutation often results in an early demise over a decade later. However, the researchers have now found that those with the Christchurch variant experienced a significant delay in the onset of symptoms.
Yakeel T. Quiroz, a study co-author and clinical neuropsychologist and neuroimaging researcher at Massachusetts General Hospital, said that the research findings "suggest the potential for delaying cognitive decline and dementia in older individuals." He added the findings can be used to develop effective treatments to prevent Alzheimer's dementia.
Arboleda-Velasquez, who works as a Harvard Medical School associate professor of ophthalmology, aims to begin medications in human clinical trials by 2026. He said that "his laboratory is using these study findings to develop potential antibody drugs to combat Alzheimer's disease." Researchers from the University of An.
