Alzheimer’s breakthrough: genetic link to gut disorders confirmed

The gut-brain bidirectional communication is well-known, and studies suggest the potential roles of this concept in the risk of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). However, there is a longstanding debate on the likely relationship of AD with gut disorders. Using the genetic study approach, a new study (published in Communications Biology) provides new insights into this subject, revealing a risk increasing relationship between AD and several gut disorders including peptic ulcer disease, gastroesophageal reflux disease, irritable bowel syndrome, gastritis-duodenitis, diverticulosis but not inflammatory bowel disease.

 Findings also implicate shared but non-causal genetic susceptibility of gut disorders with the risk of AD, identifying many shared genes and regions in the genome. Further assessment highlights the likely roles of the immune system and mechanisms related to lipid metabolism (including those of lipid-lowering medications: lipase inhibitors and statins) in AD and gut disorders. 

Reference:

A large-scale genome-wide cross-trait analysis reveals shared genetic architecture between Alzheimer’s disease and gastrointestinal tract disorders, https://doi.org/10.1038/s42003-022-03607-2 (https://www.nature.com/articles/s42003-022-03607-2) 

Authors: Emmanuel O Adewuyi,Eleanor O’Brien, Dale Nyholt, Tenielle Porter, Simon Laws Edith 

Edith Cowan University 

QUT (Queensland University of Technology) 

Curtin University

Endometriosis and depression comorbidity: links with gastritis, and peptic ulcer disease

A growing body of evidence suggests a co-occurring relationship between endometriosis and depression. However, there is no clear understanding of the relationship nor the potential mechanisms of the association. A new study, "Genetic analysis of endometriosis and depression identifies shared loci and implicates causal links with gastric mucosa abnormality", comprehensively assessed the relationship between endometriosis and depression using genetic study approach. Findings confirmed the comorbidity of endometriosis and depression and suggest the likely role of gastric mucosa disorders (gastritis, duodenitis, peptic ulcer, and gastroesophageal reflux disease) in the causal pathways of the two disorders.

                                                                Photo by Naomi August on Unsplash 

The study which was published in Human Genetics, identified genetic factors shared by both endometriosis and depression including SNPs, loci and genes. These genetic factors may serve as potential targets for drug development in the future treatment of endometriosis or depression. Also, potential biological pathways underlying the two disorders were identified in the study thereby improving our knowledge of the biological mechanisms underlying endometriosis and depression.  

 

Genetic analysis of endometriosis and depression identifies shared loci and implicates causal links with gastric mucosa abnormality