Research Question
Aging-related diseases (e.g., cardiovascular disorders, diabetes) and neurological disorders (e.g., Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease) represent interconnected global health challenges. These conditions share molecular mechanisms including chronic inflammation, mitochondrial dysfunction, and protein aggregation, suggesting bidirectional links between systemic aging and neurodegeneration. Epidemiological evidence demonstrates that metabolic syndrome increases dementia risk, while neurodegenerative pathologies correlate with accelerated systemic aging. However, the molecular pathways linking these processes remain poorly understood, hindered by fragmented single-omics data and inadequate integration of modifiable risks with genetic susceptibility.
Objective
To address this gap, the present undertaking aims to employ an integrated approach, leveraging the wealth of genetics, metabolomics, proteomics, and comprehensive epidemiological data. Through multidimensional analyses, we aim to discover new risk factors, identify potential biomarkers, and understand causal relationships for various Neurodegenerative diseases.
Scientific rationale
Circulating proteins and blood metabolome serve as powerful biomarkers, integrating genetic, molecular, and environmental influences to elucidate disease etiology. We will combine multi-omics (i.e., proteomics and metabolomics) and epidemiological data to discover novel risk factors, biomarkers and provide definitive evidence for known associations of Neurodegenerative diseases risk reported by traditional observational studies. By integrating multi-omics (proteomics/metabolomics) with epidemiological data, we will identify novel risk biomarkers and decode causal mechanisms underlying neurodegenerative (e.g., Parkinson’s) and age-related diseases (e.g., stroke). This approach systematically addresses gene-environment interplay while validating observational associations through causal inference.
