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19-11-2023 | Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis | Original Communication

The prognostic value of systematic genetic screening in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients

Authors: Di He, Yining Liu, Siqi Dong, Dongchao Shen, Xunzhe Yang, Meng Hao, Xianhong Yin, Xinyi He, Yi Li, Yi Wang, Mingsheng Liu, Jiucun Wang, Xiangjun Chen, Liying Cui

Published in: Journal of Neurology | Issue 3/2024

Abstract

Background

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disease with complex genetic architecture. Emerging evidence has indicated comorbidity between ALS and autoimmune conditions, suggesting a potential shared genetic basis. The objective of this study is to assess the prognostic value of systematic screening for rare deleterious mutations in genes associated with ALS and aberrant inflammatory responses.

Methods

A discovery cohort of 494 patients and a validation cohort of 69 patients were analyzed in this study, with population-matched healthy subjects (n = 4961) served as controls. Whole exome sequencing (WES) was performed to identify rare deleterious variants in 50 ALS genes and 1177 genes associated with abnormal inflammatory responses. Genotype–phenotype correlation was assessed, and an integrative prognostic model incorporating genetic and clinical factors was constructed.

Results

In the discovery cohort, 8.1% of patients carried confirmed ALS variants, and an additional 15.2% of patients carried novel ALS variants. Gene burden analysis revealed 303 immune-implicated genes with enriched rare variants, and 13.4% of patients harbored rare deleterious variants in these genes. Patients with ALS variants exhibited a more rapid disease progression (HR 2.87 [95% CI 2.03–4.07], p < 0.0001), while no significant effect was observed for immune-implicated variants. The nomogram model incorporating genetic and clinical information demonstrated improved accuracy in predicting disease outcomes (C-index, 0.749).

Conclusion

Our findings enhance the comprehension of the genetic basis of ALS within the Chinese population. It also appears that rare deleterious mutations occurring in immune-implicated genes exert minimal influence on the clinical trajectories of ALS patients.

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Title: The prognostic value of systematic genetic screening in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients
Authors: Di He
Yining Liu
Siqi Dong
Dongchao Shen
Xunzhe Yang
Meng Hao
Xianhong Yin
Xinyi He
Yi Li
Yi Wang
Mingsheng Liu
Jiucun Wang
Xiangjun Chen
Liying Cui
Publication date: 19-11-2023
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Keyword: Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
Published in: Journal of Neurology / Issue 3/2024
Print ISSN: 0340-5354
Electronic ISSN: 1432-1459
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00415-023-12079-1

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

The prognostic value of systematic genetic screening in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

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