Alzheimer's gene therapy shows promise to prevent brain damage

A novel gene therapy for Alzheimer's disease, which showed promise to protect the brain from damage and preserve cognitive function, has renewed hope for millions of patients with the neurodegenerative disease.

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Worldwide, approximately 57 million people live with dementia, and Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause, accounting for 60-70 per cent of cases.

Alzheimer's occurs when abnormal proteins build up in the brain, leading to the death of brain cells and declines in cognitive function and memory.

While current treatments can manage symptoms of Alzheimer's, the new gene therapy aims to halt or even reverse disease progression, said researchers from the University of California San Diego School of Medicine.