Unraveling the Genetic Ancestry of Black Americans and Brain Disorders: A Groundbreaking Study
Researchers in Baltimore have conducted a groundbreaking study that sheds light on the roles of African and European genetic ancestries in Black Americans’ risk for certain brain disorders. The study, published in the journal Nature Neuroscience, analyzed the postmortem brains of 151 individuals who identified as Black or African American.
The researchers found that genes associated with African ancestry may impact certain brain cells in ways that increase the risk of Alzheimer’s disease and stroke. On the other hand, genes linked to European ancestry appear to influence other brain cells in ways that could elevate the risk of Parkinson’s disease, a condition less common in Black Americans.
The study also explored the impact of genetic ancestry on neurons, crucial for memory, movement, and cognition. While the researchers did not find evidence that genetic ancestry influenced neurons, they suggested that societal factors such as economic stress, exposure to trauma, and racial bias in diagnosis could contribute to the observed disparities.
The African Ancestry Neuroscience Research Initiative, established in 2019, aims to address the underrepresentation of Black Americans in genomic studies of neurological disorders. The initiative involves collaboration between African American community leaders, the Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Duke University, and Morgan State University.
The study highlighted how genetic ancestry influences gene expression in immune cells and blood vessel cells, potentially contributing to the higher prevalence of strokes and Alzheimer’s disease in African Americans compared to their white counterparts. The findings also offer insights into the lower incidence of Parkinson’s disease among Black Americans.
While the study did not provide definitive explanations for the increased risk of psychiatric disorders like schizophrenia in Black Americans, it emphasized the importance of considering both genetic and environmental factors in disease risk assessment. The researchers underscored the need for more diverse genetic research to develop precision medicine approaches that account for individual genomic backgrounds.
Overall, the study underscores the complexity of genetic influences on brain disorders and emphasizes the importance of moving beyond racial categories to understand disease risk and develop personalized treatment strategies. The findings pave the way for future research aimed at addressing health disparities and advancing precision medicine approaches.