A team of researchers has found a link between the way that cells produce energy for brain function and the mutated genes found in Alzheimer’s disease.

The discovery published in Disease Models and Mechanisms has prompted further examination of the link as a fundamental, early driver of Alzheimer’s disease in humans.

In the study, the researchers analysed the young adult brains of zebrafish with gene mutations associated with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease. Zebrafish were chosen for the study because they produce very large families, which makes it easier to detect subtle effects.

The team used cutting-edge gene technology and mathematical analysis to compare gene activity and detect subtle differences between the normal fish and those with the mutations.

While the researchers found different mutations in different genes have many different effects on brain cell function, they also found Alzheimer’s disease mutations affect one very important cell function in common — the use of oxygen within cells to produce energy.

Lead researcher Dr Karissa Barthelson from the University of Adelaide’s Alzheimer’s Disease Genetics Laboratory said: «This is very interesting because we know when Alzheimer’s disease eventually develops, people’s brains become severely deficient in energy production.

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Materials provided by University of Adelaide. Original written by Kelly Brown. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.