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.

Cellular prion protein is a commonly occurring form of protein and almost available in all cells. These are harmless proteins but in certain conditions or in the presence of the other compounds, these can change their structure and cause diseases.

Because the involvement of these proteins has been seen in the initial stages of the disease that is why, these can be selected as an important target for the new treatments of the Alzheimer.

This particular study does not prove that prion cellular proteins convert into any infectious or toxic agent in the disease, but the results suggest the role of these nontoxic proteins in the Alzheimer and neurodegenerative disease necessitates further studies.

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.

In the study those more than 5,000 people were included who were 65 and above and enrolled in the study in 1995 in Cache County, Utah.  Almost 3,000 of the participants provided details about their family history of the disease and DNA. These people were grouped to APOE E4 variant and family history of Alzheimer’s.

More than seven years’ average observation, it was found that people with family history of the disease and one or more copies of APOE E4 were experiencing a significant cognitive decline.

The study is going to be presented at the Alzheimer’s Association’s International Conference in Chicago on Tuesday.

Related links

• Family History May Add to Alzheimer’s Puzzle

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