A gene that seems to have a major influence in increasing the instance of developing late onset of Alzheimer’s disease has been found by a group of international researchers.

Dr. Margaret Pericak-Vance from the University of Miami, who played the leader of the study, along with team, discovered a gene named MTHFD1L.

After evaluating human genomes of no less than 2,269 people suffering from late onset Alzheimer’s disease and 3,107 without it, the researchers found the gene.

The basic difference in the genetic sequence of the MTHFD1L DNA in people suffering from Alzheimer’s and without it was found by the team.

The authors of the study said that the researchers found that people with the variation could be two times likely to develop the disease as people with no variation.

Dr. Pericak-Vance said that recognizing this gene was really important since the gene was known to be involved in the process of influencing the level of homocysteine in body.

Elevated levels of homocysteine are deemed to be strong factors in raising the likelihood of development of late onset Alzheimer’s disease.

The findings made, offer a unique insight into the probable interactions taking place between environmental risk suppliers contributing to AD.