Scientists discover a way to predict onset age of early Alzheimer's

Tengrinews.kz - Belgian researchers have made a breakthrough in understanding early-onset Alzheimer’s disease, a rare hereditary form of the condition that begins at a relatively young age. According to a study published in Molecular Neurodegeneration and cited by Gazeta.ru, scientists found that specific genetic mutations can act like a biological clock, triggering the disease at a predictable point in a person’s life.

The team focused on three genes known to be linked to Alzheimer’s: APP, PSEN1, and PSEN2. They discovered that different mutations in these genes influence when the first symptoms—such as memory decline and confusion—are likely to appear.

Using this data, the researchers developed a model that can estimate the danger of a particular mutation and predict the likely age of disease onset. Moreover, they found that adjusting the balance of certain proteins in the brain could delay the development of symptoms by several years.

This discovery could lead to more accurate diagnoses and better treatment strategies for Alzheimer’s. The scientists hope their findings will contribute to the development of medications that can slow the disease even before symptoms emerge.

Alzheimer’s disease affects around 50 million people worldwide and remains one of the most complex and widespread neurodegenerative conditions. While its exact causes are not fully understood, it is known to involve the buildup of amyloid plaques—clusters of proteins—in the brain.

Early-onset Alzheimer’s is a rare, inherited form of the disease that begins unusually early in life. Until now, doctors have struggled to assess how specific mutations affect the disease’s progression.

Previously, scientists from Griffith University in Australia discovered an unexpected mechanism in which bacteria can trigger processes characteristic of Alzheimer's disease.