Dom Post: Alzheimer’s research ‘a breakthrough’

Kate Newton writes in the Dominion Post about researchers in Australia who have identified how the proteins which cause Alzheimer’s, interact to cause the disease.

While the finding is being heralded by a breakthrough as some, other scientists are urging caution, saying that it does not necessarily mean that a cure is close.

An excerpt: (read in full here)

“”Although there is still a long way to go, we believe we may have found a way of treating Alzheimer’s disease,” Prof Gotz said.

“A 2008 report estimated that about 41,000 New Zealanders were living with Alzheimer’s and that number would rise to 140,000 by 2050.

“Professor Cliff Abraham, director of Otago University’s Brain Health and Repair Research Centre, said the research was “a significant step forward in understanding how the pathology of Alzheimer’s disease progresses”.

“However, it did not take researchers much closer to finding a cure or effective treatment.

“”It’s quite an important paper but it’s not like we’ve solved the disease.””