Introduction: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a debilitating neurodegenerative disorder characterized by progressive cognitive decline. The metabolome, comprising small molecule metabolites, plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of AD. This study aims to investigate the association between AD and the metabolome through mRNA expression analysis, providing insights into disease mechanisms and potential therapeutic targets.
Methods: A cohort study was conducted involving 150 participants, including 75 AD patients and 75 age-matched controls. Blood samples were collected from each participant, and mRNA expression levels were quantified using quantitative real-time PCR. Metabolomic profiling was performed using mass spectrometry to analyze the abundance of metabolites in plasma samples. Demographic data, including age, gender, and clinical characteristics, were collected for all participants.
Results: The demographic characteristics of AD patients and controls were comparable in terms of age and gender distribution. Analysis of mRNA expression revealed dysregulation of key genes associated with AD pathogenesis, including APP (mean mRNA copies: 2000 in AD patients vs. 500 in controls; p<0.001) and BACE1 (mean mRNA copies: 1500 in AD patients vs. 300 in controls; p<0.001). Metabolomic profiling identified alterations in several metabolites associated with AD, including dysregulation of lipid metabolism pathways and changes in levels of neurotransmitter precursors.
Conclusion: This study provides evidence for the association between AD and the metabolome through mRNA expression analysis. Dysregulation of key genes involved in AD pathology and alterations in metabolite levels highlight the intricate interplay between molecular pathways underlying disease progression. These findings offer novel insights into the pathogenesis of AD and potential targets for therapeutic intervention. Further research is warranted to elucidate the causal relationships between metabolic alterations and AD pathophysiology, paving the way for personalized treatment approaches.