The aim of this research is to identify rare functional variants with large effect size on risk for Alzheimer's disease (AD). In a recent study published in the New England Journal of Medicine, we identified a novel rare variant in TREM2 with large effect size on risk for AD by using exome-sequencing and follow-up sequencing/genotyping in a large case-control series. The TREM2 R47H variant exhibits an odds ratio similar to that of the apolipoprotein e4 allele, confirming that additional rare variants with large effect sizes are yet o be discovered. We hypothesize that families with extensive history of dementia are enriched for genetic risk factors and that by sequencing those families, we will identify rare variants with large effect size. In this project, we will combine sequencing data in families with late-onset AD and genotyping data in large case-control series. We will analyze 69 previously generated whole-exomes from 27 families with three or more affected individuals each and no mutations in APP, PSEN1, PSEN2, MAPT, GRN and C9ORF72. Sequencing data for additional 20 families will be included. The most promising variants identified using sequencing data and the subsequent segregation analysis will be followed-up by exome-chip genotyping in more than 26,000 samples and by targeted-genotype/sequencing in more than 8,562 cases and controls. We will have access to exome-sequencing data from an additional 2,189 cases and controls through our collaborators and through public resources. Our previous work has confirmed the feasibility of this study design and strongly suggests that additional variants with large effect size will be identified. Preliminary data for 5 of these 27 families have already identified severa variants that segregate with disease status and exhibit an odds ratio> 2. The identification of functional variants with large effect size on risk for Alzheimer's disease would be a significant step towards an increased understanding of the genetic architecture of AD. These variants/genes will provide novel insight into the biology of the disease and expand or identify new molecular pathways involved in AD which will lead to better prediction of this devastating disease. This study will also establish new approaches to combine and maximize results from exome-sequencing and exome-chip data.

Public Health Relevance

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a very common neurodegenerative disease with no effective means of prevention or treatment. Recent studies indicate that there are rare coding variants with large effect size for risk for AD, that are not identified by genome-wide association analysis or the exome-chip. In this study we propose an innovative and powerful study design to identify rare coding variants with large effect size. We will use the last advances in sequencing (whole-exome sequencing) and genotyping (exome-chip and custom genotyping) to identify such variants and genes. As in the case of the mutations in APP, PSEN1 or PSEN2 we do not expect that the mutation/s identified will explain a big proportion of AD cases, but the knowledge of the biology we will acquire will be very valuable, identifying new molecular pathways involved in AD, which will lead to better prediction of this devastating disease.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute on Aging (NIA)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
3R01AG044546-03S1
Application #
9117173
Study Section
Program Officer
Miller, Marilyn
Project Start
2013-08-15
Project End
2018-05-31
Budget Start
2015-09-01
Budget End
2016-05-31
Support Year
3
Fiscal Year
2015
Total Cost
$144,875
Indirect Cost
$49,875
Name
Washington University
Department
Psychiatry
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
068552207
City
Saint Louis
State
MO
Country
United States
Zip Code
63130
Cruchaga, Carlos; Del-Aguila, Jorge L; Saef, Benjamin et al. (2018) Polygenic risk score of sporadic late-onset Alzheimer's disease reveals a shared architecture with the familial and early-onset forms. Alzheimers Dement 14:205-214
Deming, Yuetiva; Li, Zeran; Benitez, Bruno A et al. (2018) Triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2 (TREM2): a potential therapeutic target for Alzheimer disease? Expert Opin Ther Targets 22:587-598
Maxwell, Taylor J; Corcoran, Chris; Del-Aguila, Jorge L et al. (2018) Genome-wide association study for variants that modulate relationships between cerebrospinal fluid amyloid-beta 42, tau, and p-tau levels. Alzheimers Res Ther 10:86
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 :
Deming, Yuetiva; Dumitrescu, Logan; Barnes, Lisa L et al. (2018) Sex-specific genetic predictors of Alzheimer's disease biomarkers. Acta Neuropathol 136:857-872
Li, Zeran; Del-Aguila, Jorge L; Dube, Umber et al. (2018) Genetic variants associated with Alzheimer's disease confer different cerebral cortex cell-type population structure. Genome Med 10:43
Pottier, Cyril; Zhou, Xiaolai; Perkerson 3rd, Ralph B et al. (2018) Potential genetic modifiers of disease risk and age at onset in patients with frontotemporal lobar degeneration and GRN mutations: a genome-wide association study. Lancet Neurol 17:548-558
Del-Aguila, Jorge L; Fernández, Maria Victoria; Schindler, Suzanne et al. (2018) Assessment of the Genetic Architecture of Alzheimer's Disease Risk in Rate of Memory Decline. J Alzheimers Dis 62:745-756
Fernández, Maria Victoria; Kim, Jong Hun; Budde, John P et al. (2017) Analysis of neurodegenerative Mendelian genes in clinically diagnosed Alzheimer Disease. PLoS Genet 13:e1007045
Huang, Kuan-Lin; Marcora, Edoardo; Pimenova, Anna A et al. (2017) A common haplotype lowers PU.1 expression in myeloid cells and delays onset of Alzheimer's disease. Nat Neurosci 20:1052-1061

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