Health: World-first WA study finds genetic link between Alzheimer’s and gut disorders

People with gut disorders may be at greater risk of developing Alzheimer’s Disease, a world-first WA study has discovered.

Research from Edith Cowan University has confirmed a genetic link between gut disorders and Alzheimer’s which could lead to earlier detection and new potential treatments helping to save thousands of lives.

ECU’s Centre for Precision Health has provided new insights into the relationship between AD and gastrointestinal tract disorders by confirming a genetic link.

The study analysed large sets of genetic data from more than 400,000 people.

Research leader Emmanuel Adewuyi said it was the first comprehensive assessment of this connection.

“The study provides a novel insight into the genetics behind the observed co-occurrence of AD and gut disorders,” Dr Adewuyi said.

“This improves our understanding of the causes of these conditions and identifies new targets to investigate to potentially detect the disease earlier and develop new treatments for both types of conditions.”

This breakthrough will help researchers understand what causes the conditions and how to create more effective treatments with cholesterol emerging with a potential role to play.

Dr Adewuyi said abnormal levels of cholesterol were shown to be a risk for both AD and gut disorders.

“For example, elevated cholesterol in the brain has been linked to brain degeneration and subsequent cognitive impairment,” he said.

While there are currently no known curative treatments, the study’s findings suggest cholesterol lowering medications could be therapeutically beneficial in treating both AD and gut disorders.

Centre for Precision Health’s Simon Laws said the study results were immensely valuable.

“These findings provide further evidence to support the concept of the ‘gut-brain’ axis, a two-way link between the brain’s cognitive and emotional centres, and the functioning of the intestines,” he said.