The study, to be published in the next issue of the journal Human Molecular Genetics, tested more than 17,000 gene variants in 4,000 volunteers.
Several genes were found to show evidence of contributing to Alzheimer's disease, the most interesting gene being 'GALP' which could affect the development of tangles within brain cells, a hallmark of Alzheimer's disease.
Professor Julie Williams, School of Medicine, who leads this project with Professor Micheal Owen said: "Whilst these genes are likely to make modest contributions to disease more work needs to be done to test their strength in other samples of volunteers."
Professor Owen, School of Medicine said: "Identifying susceptibility genes for Alzheimer's disease provides a knowledge base for the development of potential new treatments and diagnostic tests. This study is just the first in series we are undertaking using new technology to look comprehensively at every gene in the human genome in Alzheimer's Disease and we hope that there are other exciting findings to come."
There is no known cure or preventative treatment for Alzheimer's disease, which affects one in 20 people over the age of 65 and one in five over the age of 80 in the UK and more than 12 million people worldwide. The disease causes a distressing, irreversible and progressive loss of brain function and memory.
The School of Medicine's Department of Psychological Medicine has established a bank of more than 3,000 volunteers in South Wales, and elsewhere in the UK, to identify possible genetic risk factors for Alzheimer's Disease.
"This is one of the largest studies of its kind and involves many Welsh families " said Professor Julie Williams. "It is by virtue of the support given to us by Alzheimer's sufferers and their carers that we are able to understand factors involved in the disease process. Many genes will be linked with Alzheimer's disease and our current programme of research is designed to identify them."
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"Mayo's multidisciplinary team and institutional support for cutting-edge research provide the perfect incubator for development of a therapeutic virus," says Dr. Russell. "We have everything we need, from basic scientists who create and test the vaccine strain to those who determine the best way to manufacture a safe biological delivery mechanism, and finally, to clinicians who understand the science and develop guidelines by which the study is conducted and correctly carried out. With this outstanding team, we can truly focus on achieving the greatest benefit for the patient."
The Mayo team using the measles virus against ovarian cancer reports early evidence of activity against the cancer, as well as demonstrated safety. The team can now move to administration of higher and potentially even more potent viral doses. The glioblastoma multiforme trial, which opened in the fall, is testing the safety of another strain of the measles virus for treatment, one that also enables biological monitoring of anti-tumor activity.
Dr. Russell's team also is looking at ways to use the measles virus to combat other cancers, including breast, pancreatic and liver cancer.
Funding for the investigation came from the National Cancer Institute and the Harold W. Siebens Foundation. Other Mayo Clinic Cancer Center researchers participating in the multiple myeloma project include Gregory Wiseman, M.D.; Val Lowe, M.D.; Morie Gertz, M.D.; David Kallmes, M.D.; and Mark Federspiel, Ph.D.
More information on measles research at Mayo Clinic can be found at the Gene and Virus Therapy Program. Potential study participants can call 507-538-7623 for more information.
Disclosure: In accordance with the Bayh-Dole Act of 1980, Mayo Clinic owns equity in and has licensed this and other modified measles vaccine strains, manufacturing and uses thereof to Houston Pharma Corporation and will receive royalties from that license. Drs. Russell and Federspiel are inventors of the technology used in this research.
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