New hope for treatment of Alzheimer鈥檚 disease
Dr. Poirier announced his findings as the annual Alzheimer鈥檚 Association International Conference was taking place in Copenhagen. This large-scale study identified naturally occurring genetic variants that provide protection against the common form of Alzheimer鈥檚 disease, with the goal of identifying specific biological processes amenable to pharmaceutical interventions.听听听听听听听听听听
鈥淲e found that specific genetic variants in a gene called HMG CoA reductase which normally regulates cholesterol production and mobilization in the brain can interfere with, and delay the onset of Alzheimer鈥檚 disease by nearly 4 years. This is an exciting breakthrough in a field where successes have been scarce these past few years鈥� says Dr. Poirier, whose previous research led to the discovery that a genetic variant was formally associated with the common form of Alzheimer鈥檚 disease.
"These latest genetic results from Dr. Poirier鈥檚 team are an important step forward in the understanding of Alzheimer鈥檚 disease neurobiology, and also the use of genetics to identify an interesting new molecular target that is amenable to therapeutic development鈥� added Brigitte Kieffer, Scientific Director of the Research Centre of the Douglas Mental Health University Institute."
A different approach
Over the past two decades, research efforts around the globe have focused on identifying genetic and environmental factors responsible for causing or accelerating the progression of the common form of Alzheimer鈥檚 disease. However, little was known about possible protective genetic factors that can delay or even prevent the disease onset in humans. It is well documented that a subset of older individuals who happen to be carriers of predisposing genetic factors for the common form of Alzheimer鈥檚 manage to escape the disease and 听live long and productive lives without any memory problems until their 90鈥檚.
About Judes Poirier, PhD, C.Q.
Dr. Poirier is internationally renowned for his work on cholesterol and apolipoprotein E in the normal, injured and diseased brain, and was a pioneer in establishing the field of pharmacogenomics of Alzheimer鈥檚 disease therapies. Author of over 186 research articles and book chapters, Dr. Poirier鈥檚 numerous honors include: the International Society for Neurochemistry Award; the International Parke-Davis - ICAD Award for his work on apolipoprotein E4, cholesterol and Alzheimer鈥檚 disease; the 1997 Galien Prize, the CCNP Innovation Award, the Genesis Award; and the Hubert Reeves Award. Personality of the Week by La Presse/Radio-Canada and Personality of the Year by the magazine 尝鈥橝肠迟耻补濒颈迟茅 in 1996. Dr. Poirier received his Ph.D. from the Universit茅 de Montr茅al: he was honored as 鈥淜night of the Order of Quebec鈥� by the Premier of the province of Qu茅bec and received an 鈥�Honoris Causa鈥� medical doctorate from the Universit茅 de Montpellier in 2009 for his pioneering work in the field of Alzheimer鈥檚 disease.
About the Douglas Institute
The Douglas is a world-class institute affiliated with 苹果淫院 and the World Health Organization. It treats people suffering from mental illness and offers them both hope and healing. Its teams of specialists and researchers are constantly increasing scientific knowledge, integrating this knowledge into patient care, and sharing it with the community in order to educate the public and eliminate prejudices surrounding mental health.
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