A FAMILY has been advised to seek counselling after the death of three relations from illnesses related to Alzheimer's disease.

Julie Turner, a 42-year-old mother, died of broncho-pneumonia brought on by Alzheimer's Disease, an inquest heard.

Tests ruled out CJD, the human form of 'mad cow disease' as the cause of death, the Blackburn hearing was told

Mrs Turner, of Bromley Street , Blackburn, died on Christmas Eve in Springfield Clinic, Preston New Road, Blackburn.

Coroner Andre Rebello heard her mother and grandfather also died in their forties of what was then diagnosed as a dementing illness.

Her daughter Grace Turner, 20, said since her mother's death the family was seeking genetic counselling for herself, her 12-year-old brother and her one-year-old son.

Miss Turner added that she hoped tissue from her mother's brain and information gained from the post mortem examination could be used for further research into the disease.

Pathologist Dr John Rutherford said while it was unusual for someone to die from Alzheimer's at the age of 42, it was possible.

But he assured the family: "Just because one person in a family gets the disease it doesn't necessarily follow that other members will." The coroner recorded a verdict of death by natural causes.

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