Researchers have found a woman with a rare genetic mutation that has protected her from dementia even though her brain has developed major neurological features of the disease. The woman with an Alzheimer’s-causing mutation and lots of beta-amyloid buildup (red, above) in her brain remained cognitively healthy for decades.

This case comes at a time when the Alzheimer’s field needs new approaches after billions of dollars have been spent on developing and testing treatments and many have failed. It has been more than 15 years since the last treatment for dementia was approved, and the few drugs available do not work very well for very long.

https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2019/11/colombian-woman-s-genes-offer-new-clues-staving-alzheimer-s