Genetic Links Between COVID-19 Severity and Alzheimer's Disease
Author Information
Author(s): Chen Jingchun, Cammann Davis, Liu Tingwei, Liu Yimei, Cummings Melika, Chen Xiangning, Oh Edwin, Rotter Jerome
Hypothesis
Is there a genetic association between COVID-19 severity and the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease?
Conclusion
COVID-19 and Alzheimer's disease share overlapping genetic contributions, but there is no direct causal link between them.
Supporting Evidence
- The study calculated polygenic risk scores for COVID-19 phenotypes in Alzheimer's disease cases and controls.
- Significant positive associations were found between Alzheimer's diagnosis and COVID-19 polygenic risk scores.
- The strongest associations were identified in the African ancestry population.
- Mendelian randomization analyses showed no causal effect of COVID-19 on Alzheimer's disease liability.
- Shared genomic regions were identified that implicate immune function and other traits.
Takeaway
This study found that while COVID-19 and Alzheimer's disease have some genetic similarities, one doesn't cause the other.
Methodology
The study used genome-wide association study data and logistic regression analyses to explore genetic associations between COVID-19 and Alzheimer's disease.
Limitations
The study did not find evidence of a causal effect, which may limit the interpretation of the genetic associations.
Participant Demographics
The study included cohorts from European ancestry and African ancestry.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
Want to read the original?
Access the complete publication on the publisher's website