NEWS
RESEARCHERS IDENTIFY GENE SET THAT MAY PROTECT PARTS OF BRAIN
FROM ALZHEIMER’S Researchers have identified a specific pattern of gene activity in areas of the brain that are most vulnerable to the damage caused by Alzheimer’s disease.
This new study, published in Science Advances, which recognised the areas of the brain most at risk from Alzheimer’s, even in young, healthy brains, could be used to develop preventative treatments for those at risk, before symptoms appear.
DEMENTIA ‘ATLAS’ REVEALS CARE DISPARITIES
ACROSS ENGLAND The publication of an online ‘dementia atlas’ has revealed significant variations in the provision and quality of care for those with dementia across England.
The atlas has shown that the area where dementia sufferers live has a huge impact on the quality of care they received, with huge variations in emergency hospital admissions and end of life care throughout the country.
The atlas, published by the Department of Health, shows the best and worst performing areas for dementia prevention and care in the country.
With 676,000 people in England living with dementia, Secretary of State Jeremy Hunt said he hopes the publication of these figures will help to ‘drive improvements across the country’.
The Secretary of State for Health added: “We have made great strides in improving diagnosis rates, investing in research and creating the first dementia friendly communities, but we still have much further to go to
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Using samples from over 500 healthy brains, the researchers measured the level at which certain genes are turned on across the brain.
They found key differences in gene activity between brain regions that would be damaged in Alzheimer’s disease, and those regions that are typically spared.
The findings pinpoint a set of genes that may be important in protecting the brain from developing the toxic protein clumps that are characteristic of the disease.
Responding to this, Dr James Pickett, Head of Research at Alzheimer’s Society,said: “In people with Alzheimer’s disease, some parts of the brain are damaged more than
promise everyone that they will be able to live well with the condition.”
The atlas groups the data in four categories including diagnosing well, supporting well, living well and dying well, in line with NHS England’s dementia pathway created with the aim of ensuring quality care from diagnosis through to end of life care.
The publication of the dementia atlas comes at the same time as actress Carey Mulligan is appointed as the first UK Global Dementia Friends Ambassador by Alzheimer’s Society, and Jeremy Hunt.
In her new role the actress, who recently starred in Far from the Madding Crowd and Suffragette, aims to improve global attitudes to dementia by working closely with world leaders to improve education and reduce stigma.
Speaking about her appointment Carey said: “My Nans have dementia and I have experienced first-hand how devastating it can be. It affects everyone differently, and it’s so important that everyone affected by the condition is treated with the respect and dignity that they deserve. At the moment, there’s not nearly enough awareness and as a global society we have a duty to change that.
“The first step involves educating people and breaking down stigma – not just on our doorstep, but across the world. I’ve seen my mum doing this in her role as a Dementia Friends Champion - now I’m honoured to become the first Global Dementia Friends Ambassador and help Alzheimer’s Society and the government change global attitudes towards dementia.”
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others and understanding why these brain areas are more vulnerable could help us to find ways to better protect against the development of dementia.
“This innovative new research has found a difference in the activity of a collection of genes in these vulnerable regions, even in young, healthy brains. These differences can help us to begin to understand why some areas of the brain succumb to damage while others are spared.
“If we can figure out the natural processes that protect some areas of the brain, we might be able to find ways to boost these defences and shield the more vulnerable parts from the damage caused by Alzheimer’s disease.”
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