Researchers identify genetic factors that contribute to Alzheimer’s disease

  Researchers have identified several new genes responsible for Alzheimer’s disease (AD) including those leading to functional and structural changes in the brain and elevated levels of AD proteins in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Unlike traditional AD research, this study focused on individual groups across specific on the cognitive spectrum – normal cognitive functioning or controls, mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and AD cases. As opposed to the typical study design that combines all such persons into a single group or focuses only on cognitively healthy persons, this research identified several novel genetic associations within multiple subgroups. According to the researchers these associations are