Years of Alzheimer's research were based on a key finding. Now an investigation alleges it was faked, and the work may have been wasted.

An investigation by Science magazine found that a study of Alzheimer's disease may have been faked.

Several instances of image manipulation were found in the work of Sylvain Lesné, a researcher at the University of Minnesota and an author of the 2006 study.

The paper, which is cited by more than 2,200 academic papers as a reference, launched interest in a promising target for early intervention in Alzheimer's disease.

A*56 is a type of Alzheimer's disease. Alzheimer's disease is thought to be linked to the clumping of alpha amyloids in the brain. There are several different types of Alzheimer's-targeting genes.

Matthew Schrag first raised his concerns about the images to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. Two image analysis experts were asked to review the work. They agreed with Shrag.

Lesné had 10 papers that had to do with A*56, according to Science.

The publication stated that the original images would have to be investigated for manipulation to be proven.

The most obvious effect of this alleged manipulation would be the waste of funding from the National Institute of Health.

Several unnamed researchers told the Alz forum that they tried to reproduce the results but couldn't. It's hard to publish results that invalidate previous work in academic journals, so work like this is often not reported.

Shrag told Science that false ideas can warp our understanding even if it's rare.

The 2006 paper is being investigated by Nature, the journal that published it.

The field of Alzheimer's research has come under scrutiny recently after scientists raised concerns about the evidence base supporting the idea that Aducanumab can improve cognitive function in people with Alzheimer's.

In statements seen by Insider, Alzheimer's Research UK and the Alzheimer's Society said that the allegations do not compromise the field of research into Alzheimer's disease.

"Despite these allegations, we should not allow the work of thousands of Alzheimer's researchers to be undermined - their efforts are bringing us closer to vital new treatments for the millions of people living with the disease," said Sara Imarisio, head of research at Alzheimer's Research UK.

She said that there are legitimate questions and criticisms of the amyloid hypothesis.

A co-author of Lesné's papers stated that staff scientists in her lab frequently detect A*56 in lab mice.

Evidence of image manipulation could not be found in Ashe's work.

Lesné was not contacted by Science.