Alzheimer’s disease can be one of the most debilitating conditions that any person can suffer from.
However, hope may be on the horizon thanks to a new breakthrough by British scientists.
Two genes have been discovered, named CLU and PICALM which have been linked to the development of the disease.
The news has been hailed as "really exciting" by a spokesperson for the Alzheimer’s Research Trust.
"Scientists will be able to work out a pathway that these genes take when they cause the disease," Andrew Scheuber said.
"They will be able to tweak that pathway and hopefully that might lead to new kinds of treatment."
According to the charity, 700,000 people in the UK currently have dementia and although it is untreatable, measures can be taken to help prevent its onset including taking regular exercise and maintaining a balanced diet.
Around 25 million people in the UK know a close friend or family member with dementia, the charity has suggested.
By Richard Planner 
