First-of-Its-Kind Map of Alzheimer’s Reveals Hidden Gene Activity

By David Nield – ScienceAlert

A new Alzheimer’s study has produced a first-of-its-kind genetic map, which could provide vital insights into the cause-and-effect sequences of gene activity that may be driving the disease in the brain.

This blueprint shows not only snapshots of gene activity in specific brain cells, but also connections between genes showing potential paths of chain reactions.

The research team, from the University of California, Irvine (UC Irvine) and Purdue University in the US, used their map to identify ‘hub genes’ that act as major junctions for gene activity, and which could be targeted by future Alzheimer’s treatments.