Researchers in Bristol discover potential Alzheimer’s gene therapy
A potential new gene therapy for Alzheimer’s disease has been developed by researchers at the University of Bristol.
Funded by BRACE Dementia Research, Dr Kevin Kemp and his team have been able to convert the high-risk Alzheimer’s gene, APOE4, into the lower-risk APOE3 gene using human immune blood cells from people living with Alzheimer’s disease who also had the high-risk APOE4 gene.
By targeting these genes, the hope is that the therapy could prevent or slow Alzheimer’s in people who carry the high-risk APOE4 gene, which is found in around one in four individuals. This approach showed little impact on the rest of the cells’ DNA, suggesting the therapy could be safe with minimal unwanted effects, and could be administered through the bloodstream, bypassing the blood-brain barrier and targeting the whole brain.
Dr Kevin Kemp, University of Bristol, says:
“Our research is still at an early stage, but we’re really excited by the results we’ve seen so far. By targeting the high-risk APOE4 gene, we hope to tackle one of the key risk factors for Alzheimer’s and ultimately develop a new treatment for the disease.”
Liberty Harrison, CEO of BRACE Dementia Research, says:
“We welcome this exciting development from Dr Kemp, therapies that can reduce or prevent APOE4 from contributing to the onset of Alzheimer’s represent a major unmet clinical need and are urgently required. BRACE is a small charity, and we are proud of the impact we have had on this crucial area of research.”
Find out more here: https://www.alzheimers-brace.org/bristol-researchers-alzheimers-gene-therapy/