This project aims to investigate the genetic, clinical, and environmental factors contributing to neurodegenerative and functional neurological diseases, including Alzheimer’s Disease (AD), Parkinson’s Disease (PD), and epilepsy. These disorders share common pathogenic mechanisms involving neuroinflammation, protein aggregation, and altered brain metabolism. Despite substantial research in each of these conditions, understanding the molecular underpinnings and their overlap remains limited.
Research questions include:
1.What genetic variants are associated with the onset and progression of AD, PD, and epilepsy?
2.How do clinical phenotypes correlate with these genetic findings in the UK Biobank cohort?
3.Are there shared genetic or environmental risk factors across these neurological diseases?
4.What clinical features can predict disease progression, particularly in neurodegenerative conditions?
Objectives:
1.To identify novel genetic biomarkers and clinical traits associated with AD, PD, and epilepsy.
2.To explore the overlap in risk factors and pathophysiology among these conditions.
3.To analyze the potential for multi-disease models to predict disease progression using UK Biobank’s comprehensive datasets, including genetics, brain imaging, and clinical data.
Scientific rationale:
Understanding the shared and distinct pathways in neurodegenerative and neurological diseases is critical for developing targeted therapies. By leveraging UK Biobank’s extensive data resources, we aim to provide new insights into the genetic and environmental contributions to these diseases and how they interact. The findings could inform early diagnosis, risk prediction, and personalized treatment strategies, ultimately improving patient outcomes.