New Insights into Alzheimer's Disease: Genetic Findings in Brain Tissue from African American Donors
A groundbreaking study reveals novel gene expression differences in brain tissue from African American donors with Alzheimer's, identifying potential shared mechanisms and new therapeutic targets.
Recent research focusing on brain tissue from African American donors has uncovered numerous genes involved in Alzheimer's disease (AD), many of which were previously unlinked to the condition. The study, conducted by researchers at Boston University School of Medicine and published in Alzheimer's & Dementia, highlights the significance of gene expression differences—how actively certain genes are producing proteins—in understanding AD risk and progression in African Americans.
Despite higher prevalence rates of AD among African Americans compared to individuals of European ancestry, much of the genetic research has historically focused on populations of European descent, leading to gaps in understanding for other groups. This new study aimed to address this disparity by analyzing post-mortem prefrontal cortex samples from 207 African American donors, including 125 with confirmed AD pathology and 82 controls.
The researchers identified a set of genes with altered activity levels in AD brains. Notably, the gene ADAMTS2 exhibited a 1.5-fold increase in expression in brains from individuals with AD. Importantly, this gene was also among the top findings in a separate, larger study involving brain tissue from European ancestry individuals, indicating common biological pathways across populations.
This research paves the way for deeper insights into the genetic architecture of AD in African Americans. It also emphasizes that many risk-associated genes are population-specific or vary in their effects between groups. The consistent finding of higher ADAMTS2 expression in both African American and white populations suggests shared mechanisms leading to AD and highlights this gene as a potential target for future therapies.
Overall, these discoveries enhance our understanding of the genetic factors influencing AD and support tailored approaches to prevention and treatment for diverse populations.
Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-10-alzheimer-disease-brain-tissue-african.html
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