Protein in eyes of people with Down’s syndrome linked to dementia
Published 21 May 2010
Researchers have discovered that the protein that forms plaques in the brain in Alzheimer’s disease also accumulates in the eyes of people with Down’s syndrome.
This is according to research published in May issue of the journal PLoS ONE.The research has been led by Boston University Alzheimer's Disease Center, and the Molecular Aging & Development Laboratory. Scientists hope the discovery could lead to new ways of diagnosing Alzheimer's disease. Early diagnosis is an important target for research as it could work hand in hand with other potential treatments such as vaccines to offer people hope for the future.
People with Down's syndrome make up the second largest group of people with dementia under the age of 60, and Down's syndrome is the leading cause of dementia for people under 50.
Alzheimer's Society comment:
'Is this an exciting study? The eyes have it! This study is the first of its kind to link specific cataracts found in the eyes of people with Down's syndrome with changes in the brain associated with Alzheimer's disease. Studies like this one offer hope for finding new ways of detecting Alzheimer's disease before symptoms become apparent. This could help with developing treatments such as vaccines to help transform people's lives.
'However, this research was carried out post-mortem. Much more research is now needed to find ways of measuring the development of these cataracts in living people and to establish if there is a link to the way cataracts develop in other people with Alzheimer's. Yet, ,dementia research is drastically underfunded. We urgently need more investment if we are to tackle this devastating condition. Anyone concerned about dementia should talk to their GP.'
Dr Susanne Sorensen
Head of Research
Alzheimer's Society
Research paper reference: Moncaster JA, Pineda R, Moir RD, Lu S, Burton MA, et al. (2010) Alzheimer's Disease Amyloid-b Links Lens and Brain Pathology in Down Syndrome. PLoSONE 5(5): e10659. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0010659.
