University of Gothenburg researchers say the substance is a beta-amyloid protein called Abeta16. The scientists say two independent studies showed Alzheimer's patients have higher levels of the protein in their spinal fluid than do healthy
individuals.
"The discovery of the new protein could be used to diagnose patients with Alzheimer's and also help determine which medications are most effective for the disease," said biochemist Erik Portelius, the study's author.
Portelius describes the findings in a thesis at the university's Sahlgrenska Academy.
Copyright 2009 by United Press International.
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