Genes for Alzheimer discovered

IN HOPE OF DISCOVERY AND RECOVERY

Team of British and French scientists have discovered three more genes which are associated with a disease called Alzheimer. As it is known that Alzheimer is disease related to brain in which there is loss of memory in human beings, according to web dictionary it is ‘A progressive form of pre-senile dementia that is similar to senile dementia except that it usually starts in the 40s or 50s; first symptoms are impaired memory which is followed by impaired thought and speech and finally complete helplessness’.

At present the only gene known to the scientists which is linked with Alzheimer disease is APOE4, which according to them causes only 10% of the case (Alzheimer). APOE4, discovered in 1993, was the only focus of scientific research and perhaps due to this fact, no big headway could be made over the last decade and half. The prestigious science journal ‘nature genetics’ has also published a detailed report of discoveries made by different teams comprised of scientists like Prof Kelvin Morgan from University of Nottingham, Julie Williams of Cardiff University in Wales, Philippe Amouyel of University of Lille in France, Allan Rose of Duke university etc.  According to reports, British scientists discovered two genes and named them CLU (Clusterin) and PICALM.  Clusterin gene is protective in nature and protects the brain from Amyloid proteins which causes inflammations in brains. The scientists are of the opinion that these genes after mutation become annihilative and cause inflammation in the brain which later develop into Alzheimer.  Prof Julie Williams who led the research team in Britain said that it is the path breaking discovery and will led to development of treatment of Alzheimer, the disease so far almost incurable.

French scientists team also experimented on 14000 DNA samples on the basis of the data shared with them by the British scientists who discovered the two other genes as described and found another gene called CR1. Thus as on now, there are four genes discovered which cause Alzheimer disease.  It is said that these discoveries will enable scientists to work in a more specific direction in the field of invention of drug for the treatment of Alzheimer disease which is increasing at an alarming pace. According to one estimate there are about 26 millions Alzheimer patients in the world and it would quadruple over the next four decades. In India alone, there are approximately 2, 50,000 Alzheimer’s patients and the number are increasing day by day. The saddest part of the disease is that the man develops this symptom in the later phase of life when he is in dire need of social security cover. This state of dementia leaves the patient in such a situation when he forgets everything and life becomes horrible. In the developing and developed economy which has created a society where no one including own children have the patience and time to take care of their parents or grandparents, this disease is proving a curse for them. So many famous persons and celebrities have become victims of this disease and important among them are Ronal Reagan, Atal Bihari Bajpai, George Fernandes etc.  Hopefully these discoveries would bring for them a hope of blessings. Truly said, science is both a blessing and curse depends how you utilise it.