Following it, related variants on the same gene also increase the possibility of severe COVID-19 outcomes.
This may help formulate new drug targets against both the disease and its progression. The findings may also hold probable benefits against dementia and other similar infections.
OAS1 gene and Risk of AD & COVID-19
“While Alzheimer’s is primarily characterised by harmful build-up of amyloid protein and tangles in the brain, there is also extensive inflammation in the brain that highlights the importance of the immune system in Alzheimer’s. We have found that some of the same immune system changes can occur in both Alzheimer’s disease and COVID-19. In patients with severe COVID-19 infection, there can also be inflammatory changes in the brain. Here we have identified a gene that can contribute to an exaggerated immune response to increase risks of both Alzheimer’s and COVID-19”, says Lead author Dr. Dervis Salih (UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology and UK Dementia Research Institute at UCL).
The gene OAS1 is found to be expressed in immune cells of the brain – microglia. The study sequenced genetic data from 2,547 people, among which, half of them had Alzheimer’s disease.
The study team found that the baseline risk of Alzheimer’s increased by 11-22% in people with a particular variation, called rs1131454, of the OAS1 gene. Moreover these OAS1 variants were also found to increase the baseline risk of needing intensive care for COVID-19 by as much as 20%.
As the OAS1 activity changes with age, further genetic research is required to understand why older people are more vulnerable to Alzheimer’s, COVID-19, and other related diseases.
“If we could develop a simple way of testing for these genetic variants when someone tests positive for COVID-19, then it might be possible to identify who is at greater risk of needing critical care, but there is plenty more work to be done to get us there”, says, Dr. Salih.
Source: Medindia
