New Delhi: The results of a study suggest that people with gut disorder may be more susceptible to Alzheimer's disease. This finding may help identify the neurodegenerative disease early and possibly create novel treatments for it. Memory loss and cognitive decline are the markers of Alzheimer's disease, the most common type of dementia. Researchers engaged in the study stated that by 2030, it is predicted to impact over 82 million people and cost USD 2 trillion, with no known cure.
Previous observational studies have suggested a relationship between Alzheimer's and gastrointestinal tract disorders, but what underpins these relationships has been unclear, PTI reported.
The researchers at Edith Cowan University (ECU) in Australia have now provided new insights into these relationships by confirming a genetic link between Alzheimer's and multiple gut disorders.
The study, published in the journal Communications Biology, analysed large sets of genetic data from Alzheimer's and several gut-disorder studies – each of about 400,000 (4 lakh) people.
The team, led by Emmanuel Adewuyi, said it was the first comprehensive assessment of the genetic relationship between Alzheimer's and multiple gut disorders.
The researchers found that people with Alzheimer's and gut disorders have genes in common - which is important for many reasons.
"The study provides a novel insight into the genetics behind the observed co-occurrence of Alzheimer's and gut disorders," 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," the researcher said.
Professor Simon Laws, supervisor of the study, said while the study did not conclude gut disorders cause Alzheimer's or vice versa, the results are 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," Laws added.