Biobank-scale genetic characterization of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias across diverse ancestries

Abstract

Abstract Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (AD/ADRDs) pose a significant global public health challenge. To effectively implement personalized therapeutic interventions on a global scale, it is essential to identify disease-causing, risk, and resilience factors across diverse ancestral backgrounds. This study leveraged biobank-scale data to conduct a large multi-ancestry whole-genome sequencing characterization of AD/ADRDs. We thoroughly explored the role of protein-coding and splicing variants from key genes associated with AD/ADRDs across 11 ancestries, utilizing data from five distinct biobanks, including a total of 25,001 cases and 93,542 controls. We compiled the most extensive catalog of known and novel genetic variation in AD/ADRDs in a global context, providing clinical insights into their genetic-phenotypic correlations. A thorough assessment of APOE revealed ancestry-driven modulation of APOE-associated AD/ADRDs, as well as disease-modifying effects conferred by several variants among APOE ε4 carriers. Finally, we present an accessible and user-friendly platform to support future ADRD research (https://niacard.shinyapps.io/MAMBARD_browser/).