Researchers identify Alzheimer’s, Down syndrome gene

Gerry Bellett, Postmedia News 

Researchers identify Alzheimer&#8217;s, Down syndrome gene

A researcher performs a DNA test in a file photo. B.C. researchers have identified the gene that destroys brain cells in people with Alzheimer's disease and Down syndrome.

Leon Neal / AFP/Getty Images


VANCOUVER — B.C. researchers have identified the gene that destroys brain cells in people with Alzheimer's disease and Down syndrome.

Dr. Weihong Song, Canada Research Chair in Alzheimer's disease and University of B.C. professor of psychiatry, said the discovery opens the way to find a drug that could hold off dementia for people with either condition.

"It will likely take years to find a therapy or drug that could block the spread of the disease and that's our next target," said Song, who led the research team.

The team found that the excessive production of a protein called Regulator of Calcineurin 1 sets in motion a chain reaction that kills neurons in the hippocampus and cortex regions of the brains of people with Down syndrome and Alzheimer's.

"Neuron death is the primary reason for the memory loss and cognitive impairments of Alzheimer's disease and it's the main reason people with Down syndrome develop Alzheimer's disease long before most people, usually in their 30s," said Song.

He said by looking at common elements in both conditions, researchers were able to pinpoint how and why deterioration occurred.

Alzheimer's disease is the most common form of dementia and usually affects people over age 60.

More than 238,000 Canadians are believed to suffer from Alzheimer's. By 2031 that and other forms of dementia are expected to affect about 750,000.

Down syndrome is a chromosomal abnormality that impairs cognitive ability and physical growth.

About one in 800 Canadian babies are born with it, according to the Canadian Down Syndrome Society.

The study was completed by researchers at UBC and the Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute.

