Researchers looking into a family with early-onset Alzheimer's discovered that certain members have a genetic anomaly that causes their symptoms to manifest five years later than usual.

If researchers can figure out how a single copy of that extremely rare gene mutation provides at least some protection, the finding suggests new approaches to combating the mind-robbing illness.

"It opens new avenues," said Massachusetts General Hospital neuropsychologist Yakeel Quiroz, who co-led the study that was released on Wednesday. "There are definitely opportunities to copy or mimic the effects."

A few years ago, the first indication of this genetic protection surfaced. While researching a large Colombian family that all shares a fatal hereditary form of Alzheimer's, researchers came upon one woman who managed to buck the system. Piedrahita de Villegas Aliria ought to