In a recent study published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences , a group of researchers systematically evaluated the genetic overlap between Alzheimer's disease (AD) (a neurodegenerative disorder causing memory loss and cognitive decline), lipid profiles, and coronary artery disease (CAD) traits using large-scale genetic data and robust analytical methods. Study: Investigating Genetic Overlap between Alzheimer’s Disease, Lipids, and Coronary Artery Disease: A Large-Scale Genome-Wide Cross Trait Analysis . Image Credit: angellodeco/Shutterstock.
com Background AD is a leading neurodegenerative disorder, with cases expected to exceed 139 million globally by 2050. In Australia, it is the primary disease burden among older adults. AD is associated with tau tangles and beta-amyloid (Aβ) plaques in the brain.
Research suggests links between lipid disorders, CAD, and AD, with genetic studies indicating potential overlapping mechanisms. However, the precise relationships and underlying biology remain unclear, highlighting the need for further research to understand these complex connections better. About the study The relationship between AD and various lipid traits, representing eight major lipid classes, was thoroughly examined.
These lipid classes included fatty acyls, glycerophospholipids, high-density lipoproteins (HDL) and low-density lipoproteins (LDL), neutral lipids (triglycerides), medium-chain fatty acids, steroids (total cholesterol), and sphingolipids. .