Unveiling DNA methylation in Alzheimer’s disease:a review of array-based human brain studies

The intricacies of Alzheimer’s disease pathogenesis are being increasingly illuminated by the exploration of epigenetic mechanisms,particularly DNA methylation.This review comprehensively surveys recent human-centered studies that investigate whole genome DNA methylation in Alzheimer’s disease neuropathology.The examination of various brain regions reveals distinctive DNA methylation patterns that associate with the Braak stage and Alzheimer’s disease progression.The entorhinal cortex emerges as a focal point due to its early histological alterations and subsequent impact on downstream regions like the hippocampus.Notably,ANK1 hypermethylation,a protein implicated in neurofibrillary tangle formation,was recurrently identified in the entorhinal cortex.Further,the middle temporal gyrus and prefrontal cortex were shown to exhibit significant hypermethylation of genes like HOXA3,RHBDF2,and MCF2L,potentially influencing neuroinflammatory processes.The complex role of BIN1 in late-onset Alzheimer’s disease is underscored by its association with altered methylation patterns.Despite the disparities across studies,these findings highlight the intricate interplay between epigenetic modifications and Alzheimer’s disease pathology.Future research efforts should address methodological variations,incorporate diverse cohorts,and consider environmental factors to unravel the nuanced epigenetic landscape underlying Alzheimer’s disease progression.

Circadian rhythm disruption and retinal dysfunction:a bidirectional link in Alzheimer’s disease?

Dysfunction in circadian rhythms is a common occurrence in patients with Alzheimer’s disease.A predominant function of the retina is circadian synchronization,carrying information to the brain through the retinohypothalamic tract,which projects to the suprachiasmatic nucleus.Notably,Alzheimer’s disease hallmarks,including amyloid-β,are present in the retinas of Alzheimer’s disease patients,followed/associated by structural and functional disturbances.However,the mechanistic link between circadian dysfunction and the pathological changes affecting the retina in Alzheimer’s disease is not fully understood,although some studies point to the possibility that retinal dysfunction could be considered an early pathological process that directly modulates the circadian rhythm.

A novel PNPLA2 mutation causing total loss of RNA and protein expression in two NLSDM siblings with early onset but slowly progressive severe myopathy

Neutral lipid storage disease with myopathy(NLSDM)is a rare autosomal recessive disorder,due to an enzymatic error of lipid metabolism.Patients present always with skeletal muscle myopathy and variable cardiac and hepatic involvement.NLSDM is caused by mutations in the PNPLA2 gene,which encodes the adipose triglyceride lipase(ATGL).Here we report the molecular characterization and clinical findings of two NLSDM siblings carrying the novel c.187t1G>C homozygous PNPLA2 mutation,localized in the splice site of intron 2.Molecular analyses revealed that neither aberrant PNPLA2 mRNA isoforms,nor ATGL mutated protein were detectable in patient’s cells.Clinically,both patients presented early onset muscle weakness,in particular of proximal upper limb muscles.In almost 15 years,muscle damage affected also distal upper limbs.This is a NLSDM family,displaying a severe PNPLA2 mutation in two siblings with clinical presentation characterized by an early onset,but a slowly evolution of severe myopathy.