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New Genetic Discovery Offers Major Protection Against Alzheimer's

A gene variant in fibronectin significantly reduces Alzheimer's risk and could lead to groundbreaking treatments.

Alzheimer's neurons
However, simply removing the deposits this way doesn’t improve symptoms or repair other damage. Credit: Neuroscience News
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Overview

  • Researchers have identified a genetic variant in the fibronectin gene that lowers the risk of developing Alzheimer's by up to 70%.
  • This variant, found in a small percentage of APOEe4 carriers, delays the onset of Alzheimer's by approximately four years.
  • The discovery indicates that excess fibronectin at the blood-brain barrier may hinder amyloid clearance, a key factor in Alzheimer's pathology.
  • Studies suggest that targeting fibronectin could be a promising approach for new Alzheimer's therapies, potentially benefiting a broad population.
  • The findings have been validated by independent studies, boosting confidence in the potential for these new therapeutic avenues.