Uncovering the Genetic Links Between African Ancestry and Brain Diseases: A Breakthrough Study
A new genetic analysis has shed light on why people of African ancestry in the U.S. face a higher risk of stroke and Alzheimer’s disease, but a lower risk of Parkinson’s disease. The study, conducted by researchers in Baltimore and published in the journal Nature Neuroscience, focused exclusively on individuals who identified as Black or African American.
The team of researchers, led by Kynon Jade Benjamin from the Lieber Institute for Brain Development at Johns Hopkins University, analyzed cadaver brain tissue from 151 individuals with mixed African and European genetic ancestry. They found that gene expression in immune cells and cells lining blood vessels was influenced by genetic ancestry, with differences in gene expression potentially explaining the varying risks for different brain disorders.
Specifically, the study found that genes associated with African ancestry were upregulated in individuals at higher risk for stroke and Alzheimer’s disease, while genes associated with European ancestry were upregulated in individuals at higher risk for Parkinson’s disease. Overall, inherited genetic differences explained about 60% of the changes in gene expression, while environmental factors like nutrition and mental stress accounted for another 15%.
The findings suggest that doctors should consider individual genetic ancestry rather than race when assessing a person’s risk for specific diseases. Dr. Kafui Dzirasa, a researcher and psychiatrist at Duke University, emphasized the importance of advancing science in a way that benefits everyone and highlighted the potential for personalized medicine based on individual genomic architecture.
The study underscores the need for more diverse genetic research to better understand how genetic ancestry influences disease risk and to develop more effective treatments. By moving towards precision medicine, researchers hope to tailor treatments to individual genetic profiles, ultimately improving health outcomes for all individuals.