Bristol team explores gene editing in Alzheimer’s research

University of Bristol researchers have reported an early laboratory step toward a possible gene therapy for Alzheimer’s. In a 28 September announcement, the university said Dr Kevin Kemp’s team had converted the higher-risk APOE4 variant into the lower-risk APOE3 variant in human immune cells.

The cells came from people living with Alzheimer’s who carried APOE4. The work received funding from BRACE Dementia Research, a Bristol-based charity supporting research into dementia.

APOE4 is an important genetic risk factor, but carrying it does not mean that a person will inevitably develop Alzheimer’s. The team’s aim is to investigate whether changing this risk factor could eventually help prevent or slow the disease.

Kemp described the research as being at an early stage. The announcement concerns results in cells, not evidence that the approach improves symptoms or prevents dementia in patients. Its potential value will depend on further research establishing how the approach performs and whether it can be used safely and effectively as a treatment.

Sources:

• University of Bristol — Bristol researchers take major step towards Alzheimer’s gene therapy