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Prof Williams and colleagues from Cardiff University and over 20 other institutions uncovered two new genes, named CLU and PICALM, related to Alzheimer’s: the first such breakthrough in over 15 years. When they shared their findings with French researchers, a third gene was revealed. It was the largest ever genetic study for Alzheimer’s, involving over 16,000 individuals.

TIME magazine explained the research, which was part-funded by the MRC, Wellcome Trust, Alzheimer’s Research Trust and others, by stating:

“When it comes to understanding a disease as complex as Alzheimer's, the more the better — genes, that is. In September, 15 years since the last discovery of its kind, scientists finally identified a new set of genes that may contribute to the memory-robbing disorder. Two groups of researchers, working separately, homed in on three genes linked to the late-onset form of the disease, the type that hits people in their 60s or later and accounts for 90% of Alzheimer's cases in the U.S. Two of the genes are known to interact with the amyloid-protein plaques that build up in the brain of Alzheimer's patients and eventually cause nerve-cell death and cognitive problems. The third affects the junction of nerve cells, where various neurochemicals work to relay signals from one nerve cell to another. It's not clear yet exactly how the genes increase Alzheimer's risk — in fact, most healthy people have some version of the three genes — but researchers hope that the growing pool of genetic factors will eventually help them develop more effective and better-targeted treatments for the disease.”


Prof Julie Williams, Chief Scientific Adviser to the Alzheimer’s Research Trust, said:
“This was a team effort. You cannot do this sort of thing on your own.

“Both CLU and PICALM highlight new pathways that lead to Alzheimer's disease. The CLU gene produces clusterin which normally acts to protect the brain in a variety of ways. Variation in this gene could remove this protection and contribute to Alzheimer's development. PICALM is important at synapses - connections between brain cells - and is involved in the transport of molecules into and inside of nerve cells, helping form memories and other brain functions. We know that the health of synapses is closely related to memory performance in Alzheimer's disease, thus changes in genes which affect synapses are likely to have a direct effect on disease development."

"This research is changing our understanding of what causes the common form of Alzheimer's disease and provides valuable new leads in the race to find treatments and possibly cures."

"It also shows that other genes can be identified using this method, and the group are already planning a larger study involving 60,000 people, which can be achieved within the next year."

Rebecca Wood, Chief Executive of the Alzheimer’s Research Trust, said:
“These are exciting times for dementia research. Thanks to the work of Prof Williams and her collaborators, 2009 may come to be seen as a tipping-point in the race to develop new treatments, preventions and cures for a condition that afflicts 35 million people worldwide.”