Journal watch: The polygenic risk of Alzheimer’s disease

27 Jul 2016

Written by David Howett

Genetics and gene therapy Neurodegeneration and degenerative disease Opinion Reports

Dr Mormino and colleagues at Massachusetts General Hospital (USA) have developed a composite genetic risk score that is associated with a host of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) biomarkers, but what does this mean for treatment? As reported earlier this month, common polygenic risk scores (PgRS) were increased in individuals without dementia and present in individuals as young as 18. “The goal of this type of research is to help physicians better identify those at high risk of dementia so that future preventative treatments may be used as early as possible” commented Mormino in a press release from Neurology. This article reflects...