This competitive renewal application seeks to continue a project on the genetics of Alzheimer's disease (AD). As part of the funded project we performed genome-wide association study (GWAS) on our case-control sample that has contributed to the identification of multiple novel loci for AD as part of national and internationl collaborations. In addition to GWASs, we also performed several association studies on candidate genes that resulted in >50 publications during the current grant period. Confirmed loci identified for AD risk using the case-control association design account for only ~30% of the phenotypic variance. An alternative approach focusing on AD quantitative phenotypes/endophenotypes may help to identify additional genes for AD, as this approach can be more powerful than using the binary case-control design. As part of our preliminary data for this renewal, we have completed GWASs on four AD-related phenotypes: deposition of A in the brain measured by amyloid imaging, short-term disease progression measured by change in Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score over 12 months, disease progression measured by time to reach MMSE 9 score (indicator of moderate to severe AD), and survival time in AD. We have identified novel loci for each AD- related phenotype. Using pathway analysis we have also identified multiple potentially novel candidate genes in the networks of GWAS-implicated genes. Since GWAS arrays use an indirect approach that relies on linkage disequilibrium to detect association signals, rarely are the identified significant variants the causal variants. Thu, it is important to resequence the candidate gene regions implicated by GWASs and those that participate in their networks in order to characterize the full spectrum of common, low-frequency and rare causal variants associated with AD-related phenotypes. The objective of this renewal application is to perform targeted resequencing of selected top gene regions implicated by GWASs and additional candidate genes in the networks of GWAS-implicated genes in order to identify causal variants associated with four AD-related phenotypes. Replication of significant variants obtained in the discovery stage will be sought in independent sets of replication samples. Finally, we will examine the functional nature of the identified significant variants usin bioinformatics tools and brain gene expression data. The successful completion of the proposed comprehensive studies will likely lead to the identification of new AD-related genes/variants.

Public Health Relevance

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a major public health problem. Currently there is no effective treatment for AD. In this renewal we focus on the genetics of AD-related phenotypes that will likely lead to the identification of new genes/variants that are relevant to AD. Our novel preliminary genetic data on AD progression and survival support the notion that there are sub-groups of AD patients and the precise identification of genetic factors, as part of this proposal, may help in predicting the progress of disease and assignment of patients to tailored drug treatment.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute on Aging (NIA)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01AG030653-07
Application #
9130068
Study Section
Molecular Neurogenetics Study Section (MNG)
Program Officer
Miller, Marilyn
Project Start
2007-07-01
Project End
2020-05-31
Budget Start
2016-06-01
Budget End
2017-05-31
Support Year
7
Fiscal Year
2016
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Pittsburgh
Department
Genetics
Type
Graduate Schools
DUNS #
004514360
City
Pittsburgh
State
PA
Country
United States
Zip Code
15213
Hu, Ziheng; Wang, Lirong; Ma, Shifan et al. (2018) Synergism of antihypertensives and cholinesterase inhibitors in Alzheimer's disease. Alzheimers Dement (N Y) 4:542-555
Brainstorm Consortium (see original citation for additional authors) (2018) Analysis of shared heritability in common disorders of the brain. Science 360:
Yan, Qi; Nho, Kwangsik; Del-Aguila, Jorge L et al. (2018) Genome-wide association study of brain amyloid deposition as measured by Pittsburgh Compound-B (PiB)-PET imaging. Mol Psychiatry :
DeMichele-Sweet, M A A; Weamer, E A; Klei, L et al. (2018) Genetic risk for schizophrenia and psychosis in Alzheimer disease. Mol Psychiatry 23:963-972
Snitz, Beth E; Wang, Tianxiu; Cloonan, Yona Keich et al. (2018) Risk of progression from subjective cognitive decline to mild cognitive impairment: The role of study setting. Alzheimers Dement 14:734-742
Kamboh, M Ilyas (2018) A Brief Synopsis on the Genetics of Alzheimer's Disease. Curr Genet Med Rep 6:133-135
Sims, Rebecca (see original citation for additional authors) (2017) Rare coding variants in PLCG2, ABI3, and TREM2 implicate microglial-mediated innate immunity in Alzheimer's disease. Nat Genet 49:1373-1384
Mez, Jesse; Chung, Jaeyoon; Jun, Gyungah et al. (2017) Two novel loci, COBL and SLC10A2, for Alzheimer's disease in African Americans. Alzheimers Dement 13:119-129
Ombrello, Michael J; Arthur, Victoria L; Remmers, Elaine F et al. (2017) Genetic architecture distinguishes systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis from other forms of juvenile idiopathic arthritis: clinical and therapeutic implications. Ann Rheum Dis 76:906-913
Jun, Gyungah R; Chung, Jaeyoon; Mez, Jesse et al. (2017) Transethnic genome-wide scan identifies novel Alzheimer's disease loci. Alzheimers Dement 13:727-738

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