In a new study from the University of Kentucky, researchers found 11 rare candidate variants for Alzheimer’s disease.
They found 19 different families in Utah that suffered from Alzheimer’s disease more frequently than what is considered normal.
In the study, genetic sequencing was conducted on two cousins from each of the 19 families. Miller says they then identified genetic variants that were shared between both cousins.
The team then used a series of filtering criteria to identify rare genetic variants that were most likely contributing to the excess Alzheimer’s disease in each family.
They found 11 rare genetic variants spanning 10 genes, including previously unknown variants in two known Alzheimer’s disease risk genes.
The team says identifying people with increased risk for Alzheimer’s disease before they become symptomatic may lead to earlier and more effective interventions.
Additionally, the methodology for analyzing high-risk pedigrees can be used to prioritize rare genetic variants that likely contribute to disease.
While this discovery will not immediately impact patient care, the researchers do believe identifying genetic variants linked to the disease is the first step to identifying potential drug targets that can be used to develop therapeutics.
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The study is published in Alzheimer’s & Dementia. One author of the study is Justin Miller, Ph.D.
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