Discovering Genetic Solutions to Alzheimer's Disease

Alzheimer’s disease is an age-related neurodegenerative disease affecting more than 5 million Americans. Alzheimer’s is also the leading cause of dementia among people age 65 and older and ranks among the top six causes of death. Currently, several drugs on the market can temporarily slow some symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease, but not one drug can prevent or treat the disease itself.

The Jackson Laboratory (JAX) is taking a bold approach to combatting the disease, looking at resilience, big data from human patient and animal model sources, and environment to identify people at risk for memory loss and the cognitive decline of Alzheimer's - years before symptoms emerge. Explore below to read about JAX’s latest research discoveries.

Alzheimer's POV: Detecting the genes that protect us from Alzheimer’s
Research Highlight December 14, 2018
Gene knockdown induces deficits reminiscent of aging and Alzheimer's

JAX researchers find that reducing Hp1bp3 expression mimics age-related cognitive decline through mechanisms reminiscent of aging and Alzheimer's disease
Press Release July 12, 2018
New research effort to understand role of APOE mutation in Alzheimer’s disease

Inheriting a specific genetic variant, APOEε4, is linked with 15-20 percent rise in risk of developing Alzheimer’s, with at least 20 other genes implicated. JAX researchers are studying how APOEε4 risk depends on other genes, in mice with a wide variety of genetic backgrounds.
- Alzheimer's Disease
Featured Article May 28, 2018
A new definition of Alzheimer's disease

Learn how JAX scientists are redefining Alzheimer’s in order to search for cures for the devastating disease.
- Alzheimer's Disease
Press Release March 28, 2018
Exploring the gene-diet connection in Alzheimer's disease

The Alzheimer’s Association has awarded a three-year research fellowship to Amy Dunn, Ph.D., a postdoctoral associate in the Kaczorowski lab, for her studies of how genetics and diet interact to determine risk for Alzheimer’s disease.
- Alzheimer's Disease
- Women in Science
Search Magazine January 30, 2017
Breaking the bottleneck

For the first time, researchers have the tools to build new mouse models that truly represent patients with Alzheimer’s disease.

Press Release December 27, 2018
New Alzheimer's mouse models show how human diversity affects disease onset

A new genetically diverse mouse population is opening possibilities for translational research into Alzheimer’s disease that accurately recreates human disease symptoms and progression.
600 trillion synapses and Alzheimers disease

Late-onset Alzheimer’s disease is extremely difficult to model in the laboratory, one reason why no successful therapy for it exists. But scientists are using new capabilities to create more accurate, more useful research tools, bringing new hope for progress and better outcomes for patients.
Press Release July 22, 2018
Eight new mouse models for Alzheimer’s disease available to researchers

Indiana University-Jackson Laboratory MODEL-AD Center addresses critical need for precision animal models for Alzheimer’s research.
Search Magazine March 04, 2018
Developing new therapies for Alzheimer’s disease

Alzheimer’s disease is still poorly understood despite its huge costs and burden. Greg Carter is working at the intersection between patient and mouse research to develop accurate disease models and develop effective therapies.
- Alzheimer's Disease
Search Magazine January 18, 2018
Forget me not: Living with early-onset Alzheimer's

Tackling Alzheimer's disease in the laboratory, clinic and life.
- Alzheimer's Disease
- Precision medicine

Discovering Genetic Solutions to Alzheimer's Disease

Alzheimer's POV: Detecting the genes that protect us from Alzheimer’s