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According to a new Finnish study, a certain genetic variant previously implicated in workers who are not tolerant of shift work could also be linked to an increased risk of Alzheimer's disease in the elderly.
SLEEP .
Alzheimer's disease is a brain disorder that destroys memory and thinking abilities over time. Some of its risk factors include sleep disturbance and circadian rhythm, which are also common among shift workers.
Tolerance to the negative effects of shift work varies among individuals and is partially related to intrinsic genetic factors.
The study, conducted by Professor Tiina Paunio at the University of Helsinki and the National Institute for Health and Well-being in Finland, shows that in In addition to the diagnosis of Alzheimer's, the variation of the melatonin 1A gene (MTNR1A) is linked to visible brain lesions.
In addition, when the expression of the MTNR1A gene was reduced in cell culture, the beta-amyloid protein characteristic of Alzheimer's disease began to accumulate.
In a previous study, researchers found that the same gene variation that predisposes to teamwork fatigue is badociated with lower levels of MTNR1A gene expression in the brain. This means that the previous results are consistent with new discoveries made in epidemiological cohorts and cell cultures.
The circadian rhythm regulates the release of melatonin, which in turn supports the circadian rhythm through its receptors. The new findings support the idea that circadian rhythm may play a role in the development of Alzheimer 's disease.
"The discovery of a common risk gene for work-related fatigue in shiftworkers and Alzheimer's disease does not directly mean" However, the combination of genetic predisposition and A lifestyle that disrupts the circadian rhythm can increase the risk of Alzheimer's disease, "said Dr. Sonja Sulkava of the National Institute for Health and Wellbeing. Possible interpretation is that brain dysfunctions linked to Alzheimer's disease alter shiftwork tolerance decades before the onset of clinical illness. "
Paunio says even though findings show a link between tolerance at work By Alzheimer's Disease, genetic variation always has a minimal effect on the individual level and can not be used for risk badessment or prediction.
The study focused on Alzheimer's patients and healthy controls living in eastern Finland. The link could be observed in older cohorts, but not in younger patients and control cohorts
Source: University of Helsinki
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