Research conducted by Cardiff University has led to the discovery of five new genes linked to Alzheimer’s disease doubling the number of genes known to be linked to this disease.
The genes affect three bodily processes, the way the body deals with fat and cholesterol, the mechanism by which brain cells process molecules and the immune system.
If the effects of all 10 of these genes could be eradicated the risk of developing the disease could be cut by 60%. Alzheimer’s disease is thought to be between 60 and 79% genetic with lifestyle and the environment presenting the other risks.
Currently 500,000 people within the UK suffer from Alzheimer’s disease, and with an increasingly ageing population a major concern, it is estimated that by 2021 dementia may affect up to 1 million people.