A research by Rudolph Tanzi of Massachusetts General Hospital and his team have found four more genes that affect the risk of Alzheimer’s disease.

Tanzi's team analyzed samples from more than 1,300 families to come to a conclusion. They also feel that the latest study would help in finding better treatment for the disease.  "We are on the cusp of a rare 'science moment' that could alter the way we diagnose, treat and prevent Alzheimer's disease," said Rudolph Tanzi.

The researchers’ first stage of the investigation, tested around a half million DNA markers, covering most of the human genome. The investigation included samples of more than 400 families in which more than three family members suffered from the disease, in a National Institutes of Mental Health (NIMH). Christoph Lange, PhD, of the Harvard School of Public Health, the other co-lead author of the study says, "This work demonstrates the value and importance of family-based design in the area of genome-wide association studies for genetically complex diseases like Alzheimer's."

The researchers found that some of the genes, associated with the most common form of Alzheimer's, have link with known genetic risks for the Alzheimer’s disease.

"The genetic association of Alzheimer's with this novel chromosome 14 gene, which like APOE appears to influence age of onset, is sufficiently strong to warrant intensive follow-up investigations into its role in the process of nerve cell death in this disease," Tanzi said.