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BMC Neurology

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Open Access 01-12-2024 | Alzheimer's Disease | Research

Investigating the causal relationship between immune cell and Alzheimer’s disease: a mendelian randomization analysis

Authors: Min Shen, Linlin Zhang, Chen Chen, Xiaocen Wei, Yuning Ma, Yuxia Ma

Published in: BMC Neurology | Issue 1/2024

Abstract

Background

Complex interactions between the immune system and the brain may affect neural development, survival, and function, with etiological and therapeutic implications for neurodegenerative diseases. However, previous studies investigating the association between immune inflammation and Alzheimer’s disease (AD) have yielded inconsistent results.

Methods

We applied Mendelian randomization (MR) to examine the causal relationship between immune cell traits and AD risk using genetic variants as instrumental variables. MR is an epidemiological study design based on genetic information that reduces the effects of confounding and reverse causation. We analyzed the causal associations between 731 immune cell traits and AD risk based on publicly available genetic data.

Results

We observed that 5 immune cell traits conferred protection against AD, while 7 immune cell traits increased the risk of AD. These immune cell traits mainly involved T cell regulation, monocyte activation and B cell differentiation. Our findings suggest that immune regulation may influence the development of AD and provide new insights into potential targets for AD prevention and treatment. We also conducted various sensitivity analyses to test the validity and robustness of our results, which revealed no evidence of pleiotropy or heterogeneity.

Conclusion

Our research shows that immune regulation is important for AD and provides new information on potential targets for AD prevention and treatment. However, this study has limitations, including the possibility of reverse causality, lack of validation in independent cohorts, and potential confounding by population stratification. Further research is needed to validate and amplify these results and to elucidate the potential mechanisms of the immune cell-AD association.

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Title: Investigating the causal relationship between immune cell and Alzheimer’s disease: a mendelian randomization analysis
Authors: Min Shen
Linlin Zhang
Chen Chen
Xiaocen Wei
Yuning Ma
Yuxia Ma
Publication date: 01-12-2024
Publisher: BioMed Central
Keywords: Alzheimer's Disease
Alzheimer's Disease
Published in: BMC Neurology / Issue 1/2024
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2377
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12883-024-03599-y

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Investigating the causal relationship between immune cell and Alzheimer’s disease: a mendelian randomization analysis

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

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