Researchers at the University of California, San Francisco have today (Wednesday, 11 August 2010) reported that proteins other than those associated with neurodegenerative diseases clump together as a normal part of ageing. The discovery, in C. elegans roundworm, adds to other evidence that the process of Alzheimer's is more complicated than originally thought.

Alzheimer's Society comment:
 

'This study supports recent ground-breaking research which highlights that the key to treating Alzheimer's lies in understanding more about the key proteins, not just reducing their total amount. Further research in this important area will help scientists target new drug treatments in sophisticated ways. One in three people over 65 will die with dementia yet dementia research receives eight times less funding than cancer research. We urgently need more investment so that dementia can be defeated,' Professor Clive Ballard, Director of Research, Alzheimer's Society.

Ref:  Jones R (2010) Protein Aggregation Increases with Age. PLoS Biol 8(8): e1000449. doi:10.1371/journal.pbio.1000449