By 2030, over 82 million people, and about 152 million by 2050, are projected to suffer from Alzheimer’s disease (AD) in the U.S., and 20 million Americans suffer from chronic digestive disorders. Is there a link here? Scientists now say a definitive yes. This article takes an in-depth look into a breakthrough study revealing the shared genetic architecture between AD and gut disorders – and potential treatments for both conditions.
The Gut-Brain Axis
One review suggests that with the help of new sequencing technologies, amazing progress has been made in the characterization of host-microbiota interactions identifying the microbiome as a significant factor shaping human physiology. This development also led to the discovery of the gut-brain axis as the crucial connection between gut microbiota and the nervous system. Consequently, a rapidly growing body of evidence suggests that gut microbiota also plays a vital role in brain physiology. Case in point, observational studies have found a relationship between gut microbiota and neurological disorders. For instance, one study reported more than twice the odds of dementia in individuals with gastritis. However, the biological mechanism(s) underlying these connections has been vague – until now. New research from Edith Cowan University (ECU) has confirmed the link between the gut and Alzheimer’s. This finding hopes to lead to earlier detection and new treatments for both conditions.
The Breakthrough Study
The ECU study analyzed extensive sets of genetic data from AD and several gastrointestinal disease studies. Three broad levels of analyses, including SNP-level, gene-level, and pathway-based analyses, were utilized. The results found that people with Alzheimer’s and gut disorders have similar genes, particularly the PDE4B gene, which has shown promise in inflammatory diseases. With this information, researchers now suggest that individuals with gut disorders may be at greater risk of developing Alzheimer’s. Dr. Emmanuel Adewuyi, the study lead, reveals to Techexplorist, “The study provides a novel insight into the genetics behind the observed co-occurrence of AD and gut disorders.” Adewuyi adds, “This improves our understanding of the causes of these conditions and identifies new targets to investigate to detect the disease earlier and develop new treatments for both types of conditions.” Study supervisor Professor Simon Laws also tells Techexplorist, “These findings provide further evidence to support the concept of the gut-brain axis and the functioning of the intestines.”
Another Reason For A Low-Cholesterol Diet
When team members dug further into the shared genetics, they discovered other vital links between AD and gut disorders – namely, the role of cholesterol. Researchers found that abnormal cholesterol levels were a risk factor for AD and gut disorders. “While further study is needed, there is evidence that high cholesterol can transfer into the central nervous system, resulting in abnormal cholesterol metabolism in the brain,” says Dr. Adewuyi to Techexplorist. In addition, he adds, “There is evidence suggesting abnormal blood lipids may be caused or made worse by gut bacteria (H.pylori), all of which support the potential roles of abnormal lipids in AD and gut disorders. For instance, elevated cholesterol in the brain has been linked to brain degeneration and cognitive impairment.”
Could Statins Be the Answer?
The cholesterol connection could prove necessary in treating AD in the future. While no curative treatments exist, the study’s findings indicate that cholesterol-lowering medications, such as statins, could be beneficial in treating AD and gut disorders. However, this is not the first time this treatment has been suggested. One systematic review concluded that statin use diminished AD risk. The review revealed a well-controlled, randomized study where researchers concluded that statin use was protective against AD in those adults under 65, though it appeared slightly to increase AD risk in adults over 80. “Evidence indicates statins have properties which help reduce inflammation, modulate immunity, and protect the gut,” says Dr. Adewuyi. However, he stresses that more studies were needed, and patients needed to be assessed individually to judge whether they would benefit from statin use.
