Antwerp dementia researcher wins major science prize in US

Rosa Rademakers, a scientist at VIB and University of Antwerp, has been awarded the prestigious Breakthrough Prize in Los Angeles for her work on the genetic causes of dementia.

Rademakers and her team discovered a rare genetic mutation that plays a key role in both frontotemporal dementia and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. The finding has helped scientists better understand the link between the two conditions.

The breakthrough dates back to 2011, when Rademakers led research at the Mayo Clinic in Florida. Her team identified an unusual repetition of a short DNA sequence in a gene known as C9ORF72. People without the diseases had only a few repeats, while those affected could have hundreds or even thousands.

Although most cases of ALS and frontotemporal dementia are not inherited, the discovery gave researchers a crucial lead. It accelerated global efforts to study disease mechanisms, find biomarkers and develop treatments. Several potential therapies are now being tested in clinical trials.

Rademakers shared the $3 million (€2.4 million) prize with Bryan Traynor, whose team independently identified the same genetic abnormality.

The Breakthrough Prize, often dubbed the “Oscars of science”, is one of the world’s most valuable awards for scientific achievement.

^{#FlandersNewsService | Professor Rosa Rademakers © BELGA PHOTO DIRK WAEM}