New study finds Alzheimer’s is genetically linked to gut health

New disease-modifying therapy for Alzheimer’s disease may involve total blood exchange. (CREDIT: Creative Commons)

People with bowel disorders may be at greater risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease (AD).

The world’s first Edith Cowan University (ECU) study has confirmed a link between the two, which could lead to earlier detection and new potential treatments.

AD destroys memory and thinking ability and is the most common form of dementia.

There are no known cures for it and it is expected to affect over 82 million people by 2030 and cost US$2 trillion.

Previous observational studies have suggested an association between AD and GI disorders, but what underlies these associations has so far remained unclear.

The ECU Precision Health Center has now provided new insights into this relationship, confirming a genetic link between AD and multiple bowel disorders.

The study analyzed large sets of genetic data on atopic dermatitis and several studies of bowel disorders, each from approximately 400,000 people.

Similar stories

Study leader Dr. Emmanuel Adewuiy said this is the first comprehensive assessment of the genetic link between Alzheimer’s disease and multiple bowel disorders.

The team found that people with Alzheimer’s and bowel disorders share genes, which is important for many reasons.

“The study provides new insights into the genetics of the observed co-occurrence of Alzheimer’s disease and intestinal disorders,” said Dr. Adewuyi.

“This improves our understanding of the causes of these conditions and defines new targets for research to potentially catch disease earlier and develop new treatments for both types of conditions.”

Center for Precision Health director and study leader Professor Simon Lowes said that while the study did not conclude that bowel disorders cause Alzheimer’s or vice versa, the results are extremely valuable.

“These findings provide further evidence to support the concept of the gut-brain axis, a two-way connection between the brain’s cognitive and emotional centers and gut function,” said Professor Laws.

Is cholesterol the key?

When the researchers analyzed the overall genetics further, they found other important links between Alzheimer’s disease and gut disorders, such as the role of cholesterol.

Dr. Adewuyi said that abnormal cholesterol levels have been shown to pose a risk for both Alzheimer’s disease and bowel disorders.

“Looking at the genetic and biological characteristics shared by Alzheimer’s disease and these bowel disorders suggests that lipid metabolism, the immune system and cholesterol-lowering drugs play an important role,” he said.

Professor Simon Lowes. (CREDIT: Edith Cowan University)

“While further research is needed on the common mechanisms between the conditions, there is evidence that high cholesterol levels can be transmitted to the central nervous system, leading to abnormal cholesterol metabolism in the brain.

“There is also evidence that abnormal blood lipids may be caused or exacerbated by intestinal bacteria (H. pylori), all of which support the potential role of abnormal lipids in AD and intestinal disorders.

Clusters of highly enriched biological pathways for AD and GERD. (CREDIT: communication biology)

“For example, elevated brain cholesterol levels have been associated with brain degeneration and subsequent cognitive impairment.”

hope for the future

The connection to cholesterol may prove vital to the treatment of Alzheimer’s in the future.

Although there are currently no known curative treatments, the results of the study indicate that cholesterol-lowering drugs (statins) may be therapeutically useful in the treatment of both Alzheimer’s disease and bowel disorders.

“Evidence indicates that statins have properties that help reduce inflammation, modulate immunity, and protect the gut,” said Dr. Adewuiy.

However, he said more research is needed and patients should be evaluated individually to judge whether they would benefit from statin use.

The study also showed that diet may play a role in the treatment and prevention of Alzheimer’s disease and intestinal disorders.

“Large-scale, genome-wide cross-feature analysis has revealed a common genetic architecture between Alzheimer’s disease and gastrointestinal disorders.” Communication biology.

For more science news, visit our New Discoveries section at The bright side of the news.

Note. Materials provided above by Edith Cowan University. Content can be edited for style and length.

Do you like such pleasant stories? Get Brighter Side of News Newsletter.