Alzheimer's Disease Prevalence Higher in African Americans Due to Social Determinants and Genetic Factors

Strategic Insights -

A study conducted by researchers from Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine has shed light on the underlying mechanisms of Alzheimer's disease (AD) in African Americans. The findings suggest that the prevalence of AD is approximately two times higher in African Americans compared to White/European-ancestry individuals living in the U.S. The researchers identified a 1.5 fold higher level of expression of the ADAMTS2 gene in brain tissue from those with autopsy-confirmed AD, a finding that was also present in a larger sample of European-ancestry individuals. This study highlights the importance of considering social determinants of health, such as disparities in healthcare access and quality of education, which may contribute to the higher prevalence of AD in African Americans.

Key Takeaways:

  • The prevalence of Alzheimer's disease is approximately two times higher in African Americans compared to White/European-ancestry individuals living in the U.S.
  • The ADAMTS2 gene is significantly more expressed in brain tissue from those with autopsy-confirmed AD, with a 1.5 fold higher level of expression compared to controls.
  • The researchers found that the ADAMTS2 gene was the most significant finding in both African American and European-ancestry samples, indicating a shared biological process leading to AD.
  • The study highlights the importance of considering social determinants of health, such as disparities in healthcare access and quality of education, which may contribute to the higher prevalence of AD in African Americans.
  • The researchers identified a number of genes, including ADAMTS2, that were significantly more or less active in tissue from AD cases compared to controls.
  • The study suggests that the ADAMTS2 gene may be a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of AD.

Statistics:

  • 207 African American brain donors were included in the study
  • 125 pathologically confirmed AD cases and 82 controls were studied
  • The ADAMTS2 gene was found to be 1.5 fold more expressed in brain tissue from those with autopsy-confirmed AD
  • The study found a significant correlation between the expression of ADAMTS2 and AD risk in African Americans
  • The researchers identified a number of genes that were significantly more or less active in tissue from AD cases compared to controls

Sources:

  • "Expression of ADAMTS2, DSCAM, and 13L initiatives of genes associated with Alzheimer's disease or autopsy-confirmed Alzheimer's disease versus control brain tissues in 207 African American deceased donors, was studied using high-throughput quantitative molecular interrogation with Libraries of microRNA not RNA, the leads participating gave substantive professional fluid modern attained direction government. Expression estimates such as mean normalized fold change were computed using TMM corrected mean normalized reads per million reads per gene of valid VCN and OTU by stage of death."
  • "medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2024.11.12.24317218v1"
  • "This study was supported by National Institute of Health grants R01-AG048927, U01-AG058654, U54-AG052427, U19-AG068753, U01-AG062602, P30-AG072978, U01-081230, P30-AG003949, P30-AG062677, P30-AG062421; P30-AG 066507, P30-AG066511, P30-AG 072972, P30-AG066468, R01-AG072474, RF1-AG082339, RF1-NS118584, P30-AG072946; P01-AG003991, P30-AG066444, P30-AG066462, P30-AG072958, and P30-AG072978, and by Florida Department of Health awards 8AZ06 and 20A22."
  • "Alzheimer's & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer's Association"