Scientists have found a gene that cuts someone's risk of Alzheimer's disease by 70 per cent.
A gene that can slash the risk of Alzheimer's disease has been discovered
US researchers have discovered the genetic variant that allows harmful proteins to pass out of rather than clump together inside the brain.
The team claim that the discovery can lead to new methods of treatment to reduce a person's chances of developing dementia.
Dr. Caghan Kizil, of Columbia University, said: "Our findings suggest that some of these changes occur in the brain's vasculature.
"We may be able to develop new types of therapies that mimic the gene's protective effect to prevent or treat the disease."
Alzheimer's disease is the most common form of dementia and is believed to be caused by the build-up of proteins in the brain - including tau and amyloid.
There is no cure for the condition but drugs to slow its progress have given encouraging results in trials.