Prioritization of pathways linking aging and Alzheimer’s disease to cognitive decline and dementia

Aging is a significant risk factor for cognitive decline and neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease.

Objective

The aim of this research is to identify processes that are common to both aging and Alzheimer's disease and have subsequent effects on cognitive decline. By combining extensive genetic, gene expression, sequencing, proteomics, and phenotypic data, the researchers will identify genes and proteins strongly and consistently associated with both aging and AD.

Approach

By combining extensive genetic, gene expression, sequencing, proteomics, and phenotypic data, the researchers will identify genes and proteins strongly and consistently associated with both aging and AD. They expect that with age, inflammation-related changes will occur, which will be different in people with Alzheimer's disease than in people of the same age without Alzheimer's.

Expected Results

The ultimate goal of this research is to find leads for drugs to reduce the impact of dementia in aging populations.