A large-scale genome-wide cross-trait analysis reveals shared genetic architecture between Alzheimer’s disease and gastrointestinal tract disorders

Authors

Emmanuel O. Adewuyi, Edith Cowan UniversityFollow
Eleanor K. O'Brien, Edith Cowan UniversityFollow
Dale R. Nyholt
Tenielle Porter, Edith Cowan UniversityFollow
Simon Laws, Edith Cowan UniversityFollow

Author Identifier

Emmanuel O. Adewuyi

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4533-0340

Eleanor O'Brien

https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5145-7340

Tenielle Porter

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7887-6622

Simon Laws

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4355-7082

Document Type

Journal Article

Publication Title

Communications Biology

Publisher

Springer Nature

School

Centre for Precision Health / School of Medical and Health Sciences

RAS ID

44429

Funders

National Health and Medical Research Council

Grant Number

NHMRC Numbers : APP1161706, APP1191535

Grant Link

http://purl.org/au-research/grants/nhmrc/GNT1161706

Comments

Adewuyi, E.O., O’Brien, E.K., Nyholt, D.R. et al. (2022). A large-scale genome-wide cross-trait analysis reveals shared genetic architecture between Alzheimer’s disease and gastrointestinal tract disorders. Communications Biology, 5, 691.

https://doi.org/10.1038/s42003-022-03607-2

Abstract

Consistent with the concept of the gut-brain phenomenon, observational studies suggest a relationship between Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and gastrointestinal tract (GIT) disorders; however, their underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Here, we analyse several genome-wide association studies (GWAS) summary statistics (N = 34,652–456,327), to assess the relationship of AD with GIT disorders. Findings reveal a positive significant genetic overlap and correlation between AD and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), peptic ulcer disease (PUD), gastritis-duodenitis, irritable bowel syndrome and diverticulosis, but not inflammatory bowel disease. Cross-trait meta-analysis identifies several loci (P_{meta-analysis} < 5 × 10⁻⁸) shared by AD and GIT disorders (GERD and PUD) including PDE4B, BRINP3, ATG16L1, SEMA3F, HLA-DRA, SCARA3, MTSS2, PHB, and TOMM40. Colocalization and gene-based analyses reinforce these loci. Pathway-based analyses demonstrate significant enrichment of lipid metabolism, autoimmunity, lipase inhibitors, PD-1 signalling, and statin mechanisms, among others, for AD and GIT traits. Our findings provide genetic insights into the gut-brain relationship, implicating shared but non-causal genetic susceptibility of GIT disorders with AD’s risk. Genes and biological pathways identified are potential targets for further investigation in AD, GIT disorders, and their comorbidity.

DOI

10.1038/s42003-022-03607-2

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.