Neuronal Protection: Insights from Nerve Growth Factor NGF Gene Expression Analysis in Alzheimer's Disease Management
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Abstract
Background: Dementia encompasses a spectrum of neurological disorders, prominently featuring Alzheimer's disease (AD), which constitutes approximately 70% of all dementia cases. Risk factors include genetic predispositions, such as the ApoE ε4 allele, APP, PSEN1/PSEN2, and lifestyle or health-related factors like depression, smoking, hypertension, and Type II diabetes. The latter is notably associated with conditions like hyperglycemia or insulin resistance, which potentially disrupt cerebral function and precipitate cognitive decline.
Objective: This study focuses on the Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) genes, exploring their role in neuroprotection. Specifically, it examines the expression levels of the NGF gene in diabetic patients with dementia and correlates these findings with neural disturbances as gauged by Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) scores.
Methods: Blood samples (5 ml each) were collected from 100 participants, comprising 68 cases of diabetic dementia and 32 healthy controls, from Jinnah Hospital Lahore and Shaikh Zayed Hospital Lahore. The study involved nucleic acid extraction, primer design and optimization, and targeted RT-qPCR for NGF expression analysis. ELISA and MMSE scoring were also employed to assess cognitive impairment.
Results: Analysis revealed significantly lower NGF expression in the diabetic dementia group compared to controls. Specifically, an NGF gene expression decrease correlated with cognitive impairment severity; 80% of participants scored below 9 on the MMSE, indicative of severe dementia. A Pearson’s correlation coefficient of 0.494 underscored the relationship between NGF expression and cognitive impairment.
Conclusion: The findings highlight the potential role of NGF genes in the pathogenesis of dementia among individuals with diabetes. Changes in NGF expression may be pivotal in dementia development, suggesting that NGF could serve as a biomarker for the diagnosis and potentially guide therapeutic strategies.
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