[Vascular dementia and mixed dementia]

Gene Set Index Based on Different Modules May Help Differentiate the Mechanisms of Alzheimer's Disease and Vascular Dementia

Purpose

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and vascular dementia shared similar symptoms, the aim of the present study was to identify potential differences in the mechanisms underlying the two diseases.

Materials and Methods

The data set including AD, vascular dementia, and control samples was carried out gene differential expression analysis, weighted gene co-expression network analysis, functional enrichment, protein–protein interaction network construction, and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator analysis to reveal the differences in the mechanisms underlying the two diseases and potential diagnostic gene signature.

Results

We identified the gene modules related to AD or vascular dementia. Enrichment analysis of module genes and construction of a protein–protein interaction network suggested that the “brown” module may be involved in a chemokine pathway, the “blue” module may be involved in cortisol synthesis and secretion, and the “turquoise” module may be involved in cholinergic synapse transmission. The hub gene-based signature index may be a biomarker of AD and vascular dementia and may even differentiate the two diseases from each other with high area under curve.

Conclusion

Our results identified not only core pathways involved in both AD and vascular disease, but also their potentially specific pathways. We proposed the hub gene-based signature index may be useful for diagnosing AD and vascular dementia.

Epidemiology of neurological diseases in older adults

Neurological diseases refer to the diseases that target the nervous system (brain, spine or nerves). They are the second leading cause of death, and the first cause of severe long-term disability in the world. The prevalence of most neurological diseases increases sharply with age, and age also modulates the impact of risk factors, clinical presentation and the natural course of these diseases. Longitudinal population-based studies provide useful insights for a better understanding of the specificities of neurological diseases in older adults by assessment of a wide range of risk factors. Rapid population aging, especially in low-income countries, presents challenges in terms of health and social care. A multidisciplinary approach is necessary to find solutions to tackle the burden of neurological diseases in older adults.