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Genomic mechanisms in Alzheimer's disease.

ABSTRACT: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common neurodegenerative disease and, owing to its increasing prevalence, represents one of the leading public health problems in aging populations. The molecular causes underlying the onset and progression of AD are manifold and hitherto still incompletely understood. Research over nearly four decades has clearly delineated genetics to play a crucial role in AD susceptibility, likely in concert with non-genetic factors. The field has gained considerable momentum and novel insights over the past 10 years owing to the advent and application of high-throughput genomics technologies in datasets of increasing size. In this contribution to the Mini-Symposium on the Molecular Etiology of Alzheimer's Disease, we review the current status of genomics research in AD. To this end, we scrutinize and discuss the main findings from the two largest and most current genome-wide association studies (GWAS) in the field, that is, the papers published by Jansen et al (Nat Genet 51:404-413) and Kunkle et al (Nat Genet 51:414-430). Particular focus is laid on genomics findings overlapping across both studies and on the novel insights they provide in terms of improving our understanding of the "genomic mechanisms" underlying this devastating disease.

SUBMITTER: Bertram L

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8018017 | biostudies-literature |

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Project description:Alzheimer's disease is a rather complex neurodegenerative disease, which is attributed to a combination of multiple factors. Among the many pathological pathways, synaptic dysfunctions, such as synapses loss and deficits in synaptic plasticity, were thought to be strongly associated with cognitive decline. The deficiencies in various sorts of neurotransmissions are responsible for the multifarious neurodegenerative symptoms in Alzheimer's disease, for example, the cholinergic and glutamatergic deficits for cognitive decline, the excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmission dyshomeostasis for synaptic plasticity deficits and epileptiform symptoms, and the monoamine neurotransmission for neuropsychiatric symptoms. Amyloid cascade hypothesis is the most popular pathological theory to explain Alzheimer's disease pathogenesis and attracts considerable attention. Multiple lines of genetic and pathological evidence support the predominant role of amyloid beta in Alzheimer's disease pathology. Neurofibrillary tangles assembled by microtubule-associated protein tau are other important histopathological characteristics in Alzheimer's disease brains. Cascade of tau toxicity was proved to lead to neuron damage, neuroinflammation and oxidative stress in brain. Ageing is the main risk factor of neurodegenerative diseases, and is associated with inflammation, oxidative stress, reduced metabolism, endocrine insufficiencies and organ failures. These aging related risk factors were also proved to be some of the risk factors contributing to Alzheimer's disease. In Alzheimer's disease drug development, many good therapeutic strategies have been investigated in clinical evaluations. However, complex mechanism of Alzheimer's disease and the interplay among different pathological factors call for the come out of all-powerful therapies with multiple curing functions. This review seeks to summarize some of the representative treatments targeting different pathological pathways currently under clinical evaluations. Multi-target therapies as an emerging strategy for Alzheimer's disease treatment will be highlighted.

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Genomic mechanisms in Alzheimer's disease.

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