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
Primary Institution: University of Nevada Las Vegas
Hypothesis
Is there a genetic association between COVID-19 severity and the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease?
Conclusion
The study found significant genetic associations between COVID-19 severity and Alzheimer's disease, but no causal relationship was established.
Supporting Evidence
- COVID-19 PRSs were positively associated with AD diagnosis in both European and African ancestry populations.
- The strongest association was found in the African ancestry population.
- All associations remained significant after adjusting for age, sex, and APOE genotypes.
- No causal effect of COVID-19 on AD liability was identified through Mendelian randomization.
- Shared genomic regions were identified between COVID-19 phenotypes and AD.
Takeaway
This study looked at how genes related to COVID-19 might also be linked to Alzheimer's disease, finding connections but no direct cause.
Methodology
The study used genome-wide association study (GWAS) data and polygenic risk scores to analyze genetic associations between COVID-19 and Alzheimer's disease.
Potential Biases
Potential genetic confounding due to the mismatch of ancestries in previous studies.
Limitations
The sample size for African ancestry cohorts was much smaller than for European ancestry, which may limit the findings.
Participant Demographics
The study included individuals from both European and African ancestries, with a majority being female.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p = 6.13 × 10−27
Confidence Interval
1.560–1.902
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
Want to read the original?
Access the complete publication on the publisher's website