Researchers at the University of British Columbia and the Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute identified a common gene that destroys brain cells in individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and those suffering from Down syndrome. Through studying common elements in both Down syndrome and Alzheimer’s disease, scientists were able to discover how and why neuron death occurred in these populations.
This discovery will allow researchers to create a new drug that could obstruct the progression of dementia in seniors. Although the drug will likely take years to be developed, it could ultimately stop the spread of the disease and improve the lives of millions of people currently suffering from Alzheimer’s and dementia.
