CRISPR Emerges As New Hope In Fight Against Alzheimer's: STAT News

Researchers are exploring the potential of the genome-editing tool, CRISPR, to tackle Alzheimer’s disease, a condition with complex roots that extend beyond genetics, STAT News reports.

Two abstracts presented at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference in Amsterdam highlight the innovative use of CRISPR. Maria Carrillo, the chief science officer of the Alzheimer’s Association, emphasizes the need for a variety of approaches to treat Alzheimer’s, according to Stat News.

A team from the University of California, San Diego focused on the gene that encodes the parent protein of beta-amyloid, a contributor to Alzheimer’s.

“Classically, people are thinking of CRISPR as mutation correction,” said postdoc Brent Aulston, who led the work. “Ours is much different than that.”

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The research team plans to refine the technology for potential human trials, a process that will likely take years. Meanwhile, scientists at Duke University aim to use CRISPR to reduce the activity of a gene variant known to increase the risk of Alzheimer’s.

Given the complexity of Alzheimer’s, different approaches may need to be combined for effective treatment. “There is no magic bullet for this disease,” said Ornit Chiba-Falek, the chief of translational brain sciences at Duke University Medical Center.

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