We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies. Cookie Policy.

Features Partner Sites Information LinkXpress
Sign In
Advertise with Us
Technopath Clinical Diagnostics - An LGC Company

Download Mobile App




Events

ATTENTION: Due to the COVID-19 PANDEMIC, many events are being rescheduled for a later date, converted into virtual venues, or altogether cancelled. Please check with the event organizer or website prior to planning for any forthcoming event.

Genetic Link Found Between Gut Disorders and Alzheimer's Disease

By LabMedica International staff writers
Posted on 02 Aug 2022
Print article
Image: A genetic link between Alzheimer’s Disease and gut disorders has been discovered (Photo courtesy of Edith Cowan University)
Image: A genetic link between Alzheimer’s Disease and gut disorders has been discovered (Photo courtesy of Edith Cowan University)

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most prevalent form of dementia, characterized by neurodegeneration and a progressive decline in cognitive ability. The disorder ranks as a subject of increasing global public health importance with consequences for wide-ranging social and economic adverse impacts on sufferers, their families, and the society at large.

Several studies have reported a pattern of co-occurrence of dementia (and AD in particular) with certain gastrointestinal tract (GIT) disorders, microbiota, dysbiosis or medications commonly used in the treatment of peptic ulcer disease (PUD). The available evidence, thus, suggests comorbidity or some forms of association between AD and GIT disorders, although it is not clear whether GIT traits are risks for AD or vice versa.

Medical Scientists at the Edith Cowan University, (Perth, Australia) in a new study set out to find out genetic associations underlying this observed association between the gut and AD. They analyzed genetic data from 15 large genome studies, most involving more than 400,000 people, containing information from AD and gut disorders. They also looked at the biological pathways in which these genes involved in both disorders acted, and found an overrepresentation of lipid-related and immune system-related pathways.

The investigators reported that they found certain genes were associated with having both AD and certain gut disorders, such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), peptic ulcer disease (PUD), gastritis-duodenitis, irritable bowel syndrome, and diverticulosis. Although they s found significant genetic overlap and correlation between Alzheimer’s and some gastrointestinal disorders, they did not find evidence for a causal association.

Cross-trait meta-analysis identified several loci shared by AD and GIT disorders (GERD and PUD) including PDE4B, BRINP3, ATG16L1, SEMA3F, HLA-DRA, SCARA3, MTSS2, PHB, and TOMM40. Colocalization and gene-based analyses reinforced these loci. Pathway-based analyses demonstrated significant enrichment of lipid metabolism, autoimmunity, lipase inhibitors, PD-1 signaling, and statin mechanisms, among others, for AD and GIT traits.

The study provided genetic insights into the long-standing debate and the observed relationship of AD with GIT disorders, implicating shared genetic susceptibility. The findings support a significant risk increasing (but non-causal) genetic association between AD and GIT traits (GERD, PUD, PGM, gastritis-duodenitis, IBS, and diverticular disease). Also, the scientists identified genomic regions and genes, shared by AD and GIT disorders that may potentially be targeted for further investigation, particularly, the PDE4B gene (or its subtypes) which has shown promise in inflammatory diseases.

Simon Laws, PhD, the director of the Centre for Precision Health and senior author of the study, said, “That although the study did not find that gut disorders caused AD or vice versa, the findings were immensely valuable. These findings provide further evidence to support the concept of the ‘gut-brain’ axis, a two-way link between the brain’s cognitive and emotional centers, and the functioning of the intestines.”

The authors concluded that their study also underscores the importance of lipid homoeostasis and the potential relevance of statins and lipase inhibitors in AD, GIT disorders or their comorbidity. The study was published on July 18, 2022 in the journal Communications Biology.

Related Links:
Edith Cowan University 

Gold Supplier
Automatic Western Blot Analyzer
Tenfly Phoenix Blot Analyzer
New
Pipetting Workstation
Microlab NIMBUS
New
Lab Incubator
IN-010
New
cTnl ELISA Test Kit
Troponin-I

Print article

Channels

Clinical Chem.

view channel
Image: Brief schematic diagram of the detection principle and method (Photo courtesy of CAS)

Rapid, Non-Invasive Method Diagnoses Type 2 Diabetes by Sniffing Urinary Acetone

Over 90% of diabetes cases are attributed to Type 2 diabetes (T2D), a prevalent metabolic condition that is expected to impact 380 million individuals globally by 2025. Despite being highly accurate, the... Read more

Immunology

view channel
Image: A genetic test could guide the use of cancer chemotherapy (Photo courtesy of Pexels)

Genetic Test Predicts Whether Bowel Cancer Patients Can Benefit From Chemotherapy

Late-stage bowel cancer patients usually undergo a series of chemotherapies and targeted medicines for cancer treatment. However, the responses to the last-line chemotherapy treatment trifluridine/tipiracil... Read more

Microbiology

view channel
Image: Use of DBS samples can break barriers in hepatitis C diagnosis and treatment for populations at risk (Photo courtesy of Pexels)

DBS-Based Assay Effective in Hepatitis C Diagnosis and Treatment for At Risk Populations

In a bid to eliminate viral hepatitis as a public health threat by 2030, the World Health Organization (WHO) has put forth a proposed strategy. To this end, researchers at the Germans Trias i Pujol Research... Read more

Pathology

view channel
Image: New research has opened a path for fast and accurate cancer diagnosis (Photo courtesy of Imagene)

AI-Based Image Analysis Software Profiles Cancer Biomarkers in Real Time

Lung cancer is the most widespread type of cancer worldwide, resulting in approximately 1.76 million fatalities annually. Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) accounts for 85% of all lung cancer diagnoses... Read more

Technology

view channel
Image: Live view of non-fluorescent specimens using the glowscope frame (Photo courtesy of Winona State University)

Device Converts Smartphone into Fluorescence Microscope for Just USD 50

Fluorescence microscopes are utilized to examine specimens labeled with fluorescent stains or expressing fluorescent proteins, like those tagged with green fluorescent protein. However, since these microscopes... Read more

Industry

view channel
Image: The global antimicrobial resistance diagnostics market size is expected to reach USD 5.7 billion by 2028 (Photo courtesy of Pexels)

Global Antimicrobial Resistance Diagnostics Market Driven by Increasing Hospital-Acquired Infections

Antimicrobial drugs are intended to counteract the harmful effects of microbes and promote a healthy life. However, their excessive use can result in the development of resistance, commonly referred to... Read more
Copyright © 2000-2023 Globetech Media. All rights reserved.