UCL in the News: Scientists find new dementia gene

People with a damaged copy of the gene, GAB2, may be at four times increased risk of developing dementia, Neuron journal reports.

Experts said the latest findings were some of the most significant to emerge since the discovery of the ApoE4 Alzheimer's gene. …

The researchers, from 15 institutions including the Institute of Neurology in London, analysed the DNA of 1,411 people and found GAB2 influenced the risk of dementia among those with APOE4.

GAB2 appears to modify the effects of this better known Alzheimer's gene.

In turn, this leads to the formation of the characteristic protein "tangles" found in the brains of people with Alzheimer's, the researchers told Neuron. …

BBC News