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Researchers have discovered the way in which a specific genetic mutation leads to neuronal damage in two serious afflictions, according to a new study. 

The study added that in rare cases patients may even suffer from these two diseases, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and frontotemporal dementia simultaneously. 

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is a deadly motor neuron disease that causes rapid weakening of muscles and death. In older people, forntotemporal dementia is the second most common cause of dementia in people under 65. The disease causes distressing symptoms including changes in personality and behavior problems related to language and thinking. 

The new study noted that the repeats in the mutant gene causes neurodegeneration by making toxic proteins.

Earlier it was thought that the problem could be a consequence of disruption of the gene by the inserted repeats. Another school of thought was that the repeats produce a different type of toxic RNA molecule. However the new study is suggesting that the repeats in the mutant gene can produce a variety of proteins and that two of these are extremely toxic to nerve cells. 

The study has been published in the journal Science Express.