Researchers of Yale University said, the missing link, vital for the better understanding of Alzheimer’s disease, have been founded by them.

Prions, the cellular proteins, initiate the reaction through which amyloid-beta peptides harm the functioning of the brain of Alzheimer’s patient.

“The researchers know that, amyloid-beta peptides causes harm to brain but their exact worse action on the neurons is still unknown,” Study author Stephen M. Strittmatter said.

After assessing number of potential disease-mediating receptors, researchers found the culprit prion protein that worse the condition of Alzheimer’s disease. Prion used to attach with the amyloid-beta peptides and damage the brain cells. They start the drop of neuron that makes the condition more serious, researchers added.

The researchers who analyzed family histories of Alzheimer’s ascertained that a complete picture of overall risk couldn’t be got by the gene associated with Alzheimer’s disease.

In previous studies, it was shown that people with the E4 variant of the APOE gene had higher risk of the disease. However, this new study led by new Duke University Medical centre was one among those few studies that investigated the role of family history as well as APOE.

Lead researcher Kathleen A. Welsh-Bohmer, who is director of Duke’s Bryan Alzhemier’s Research Centre, states in a news release “We have gathered that it is difficult to get the whole genetic story only with APOE genotype. To influence someone’s risk for developing Alzheimer’s there are other genes that may act independently of APOE.