Introduction Alzheimer’s disease, also known as AD, is a progressive form of dementia and one of the most common forms of dementia in the elderly. It is characterized by memory impairment and a gradual decline in cognitive functions running from mild to severe. The exact cause of the disease is still elusive, however, in recent years mounting evidence suggests that changes in a person’s DNA methylation could have a profound impact on the progression and symptomology of the disease. Now, a study conducted by researchers at Mount Sinai and published in Alzheimer’s & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer’s Association has shed new light on the role of DNA methylation in Alzheimer’s disease. The findings of the study are both exciting and encouraging as they could potentially lead to the discovery of new neuropathological processes and the development of enhanced treatments and therapies for those with AD. Background Research on the role of DNA methylation and its impact on Alzheimer’s disease has been ongoing since the early 2000s. DNA methylation is the process in which methyl groups are added to a person’s DNA at specific locations, altering the way genes are expressed and influencing the production of proteins. In the context of AD, it has been found that changes in the function and/or production of proteins associated with the disease can occur due to alterations in the DNA methylation process. Previous studies, however, have been limited in their scope and have not yielded a clear understanding of the relationship between DNA methylation changes and the progression of Alzheimer’s disease. This lack of understanding has hindered the ability of researchers to develop effective therapies and treatments to address the issue. This is why the new research conducted by Mount Sinai is so important as it provides further evidence on the role of DNA methylation in AD and could be a stepping stone in understanding this complex condition. Findings of the Study The research at Mount Sinai has identified more precisely the role that DNA methylation plays in the progression of AD and how this could be used to create better treatments for the condition. The researchers used novel methods to identify gene and protein co-expression networks associated with Alzheimer's disease and found that DNA methylation changes had a profound effect on these networks. From the gene expression data, the researchers were able to discern patterns of co-expression between genes and proteins which were associated with AD. Analysis of DNA methylation changes revealed that the association was stronger for some genes and proteins than for others. This suggests that DNA methylation plays a key role in the regulation of gene expression in Alzheimer’s disease. Implications of the Findings The findings of the Mount Sinai research are highly encouraging and suggest that DNA methylation holds a lot of potential in the development of new therapies and treatments for those with Alzheimer’s disease. By understanding more clearly the relationship between gene expression and DNA methylation, the researchers can potentially develop novel approaches to slowing the progression of AD and improving its symptomology. In addition, the research findings suggest that DNA methylation may be an important factor in understanding how AD is inherited. This could potentially lead to the development of effective preventive strategies that target those at high risk of developing the condition. Conclusion The findings of the Mount Sinai research are both exciting and encouraging. By pinpointing more precisely the role of DNA methylation in Alzheimer’s disease, the researchers can hopefully play a key role in the understanding and treatment of the condition. Furthermore, the findings could lead to the discovery of new neuropathological processes and the development of enhanced treatments and therapies for those with AD. As such, the research findings represent a major step forward in the battle against Alzheimer’s disease.
https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-medical-news/researchers-discover-key-role-of-dna-methylation-in-alzheimers-disease
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