Editor's Choice Main Category: Alzheimer's / Dementia Also Included In: Genetics Article Date: 05 Jul 2012 - 10:00 PDT

Current ratings for: Researchers Working Hard To Unlock Alzheimer's Genetic Secrets

The study, which will be conducted by researchers at Indiana University School of Medicine and colleagues across the country, could significantly affect the development of treatments for Alzheimer's.

The researchers will sequence and examine genomes of more than 800 adults taking part in the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI). The study, supported by the Brin Wojcicki Foundation and the Alzheimer's Association, will provide a listing of all 3 billion segments (base pairs) of genetic code in each participant's DNA.

Andrew Saykin, Psy.D., director of the Indiana University Center for Neuroimaging and lead researcher for the genetics core of the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative, explained: "This is the equivalent of going from a good quality map of the United States to having the detailed blueprints for everything within our borders."

The DNA samples gathered from participants are stored at the National Cell Repository for Alzheimer's Disease at the IU School of Medicine. The repository, directed by Tatiana Foroud, Ph.D., P. Michael Conneally Professor of Medical and Molecular Genetics, prepared the DNA samples that will be used in the study.

Dr. Foroud and Li Shen are co-lead researchers for the genetics core. Shen, Ph.D., is a computer scientist and assistant professor of radiology and imaging sciences. Illumina, a biotechnology equipment and services company will conduct the sequencing.

Martin Farlow, M.D., professor of neurology and associate director of the Indiana Alzheimer's Disease Center, explained:

At present, researchers around the world use data produced by the ADNI, but the new study will provide next-generation sequencing data on a significantly larger and refined scale.

Dr. Saykin, Raymond C. Beeler Professor of Radiology and Imaging Sciences. said:

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Researchers Working Hard To Unlock Alzheimer's Genetic Secrets

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