Scientists investigating the causes of dementia have found key similarities between different diseases, paving the way for effective new diagnostics and treatment
Internal view of the brain (stock picture: Getty)
Experts looking into conditions including Alzheimers, Parkinson’s Disease and Dementia with Lewy Bodies have found there are similar processes and biomarkers that link them.
A number of studies have been enabled by the European Platform for Neurodegenerative Diseases (EPND) project, which is co-led by Professor Anthony Brookes, from the University of Leicester’s Department of Genetics, Genomics and Cancer Sciences.
EPND researchers based at Maastricht University and the Amsterdam University Medical Center analysed samples from 350 participants across various European cohorts.
Analysis of these biomaterials revealed significant overlaps in disease processes, suggesting that amyloid and tau pathologies are prevalent not just in those with Alzheimers Disease (AD) but also in those with Dementia with Lewy Bodies (DLB) (~60% of subjects) and Parkinson’s Disease (PD) (~20% of subjects).
The findings, which were presented by Maastricht University PhD student Marianna Rizzo at the 2024 Alzheimer’s Association International Conference, are significant because they challenge the traditional view that AD, PD, and DLB are distinctly separate diseases.
Speaking about the research in what is World Alzheimers month (September), Professor Brookes said: “This work shows how EPND is facilitating studies that are making significant strides in biomarker research. These studies not only aim to enhance our understanding by revealing biomarker profiles among degenerative diseases, but could prove crucial for developing more effective diagnostics and treatments in the future.
“Marianna’s work has also uncovered associations between amyloid pathology, a build-up of a particular protein in the brain believed to cause Alzheimers and demographic factors such as age and the presence of the gene APOE-ε4 allele, a genetic risk factor for AD. These insights are vital for refining clinical trial designs and improving the use of biomarkers in diagnostic settings.”
The EPND is supported by the EU’s Innovative Medicines Initiative, and is working to build a platform for data and sample sharing, to facilitate multidisciplinary collaboration for the neurodegeneration research community in Europe and beyond. The platform supports researchers to discover, share, and analyse samples and data, allowing them to increase participant numbers and enhance the quality of their findings. This collaborative approach allows for the detection of subtle differences between groups that might be missed in smaller studies.
“EPND-enabled studies, of which many more are now being facilitated, represent a pioneering effort to advance our understanding of neurodegenerative diseases through collaborative research and innovative methodologies,” explained Professor Brookes.
“By investigating shared and distinct biomarker profiles across AD, PD, and DLB, researchers are laying the foundation for more effective diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. As this data and sample platform continues to evolve, its contributions to neurodegenerative disease research will pave the way for many more significant advancements in the field.”