According to a study by Edith Cowan University, a link between gut disorders and Alzheimer’s disease (AD) risk has been established, with the potential for new treatment developments on the horizon.
The research released in Communications Biology began with the analysis of several genome-wide association studies summary statistics to explore the association between gastrointestinal tract disorders (GIT) and Alzheimer’s disease.
“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,” the study’s authors wrote in their findings.
“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.”
