Research scientists find key link to Alzheimer’s

Published on 19/07/2012 00:00

RESEARCH into Alzheimer’s has found a link between raised levels of a fatty acid in the blood and an increased
incidence of the disease.

Scientists in the United States say those with a high level of ceramides are ten times more likely to develop Alzheimer’s than those whose ceramide level is low.

The study, published in Neurology, is one of a number of studies being done into “bio­markers” – physiological conditions associated with dementia which affect more than 80,000 people in Scotland.

Maureen Thom, of Alzheimer Scotland, said: “Research into biomarkers for Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia is expanding all the time. If scientists can identify factors which increase people’s risk of developing dementia, it should be possible to develop treatments to tackle these risk factors and potentially prevent the brain cell damage which leads to dementia.”