Causal links between Helicobacter pylori infection and Alzheimer’s disease: Insights from genome-wide summary data-based Mendelian randomization

Abstract

Helicobacter pylori infection is associated with various illnesses like Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The purpose of this work is to utilize Mendelian randomization (MR) methods to examine the possible link between AD and H. pylori infection. We utilized information from the Finngen database and the UK Biobank for MR analysis. Six antibodies related to H. pylori were assessed for their association with AD. The MR analysis involved two-sample methods, while generalized summary data-based MR (GSMR) was employed to analyze genetic data for a robust causal inference. The two-sample MR investigation exhibited a strong link among AD and anti-H. pylori UREA antibodies, with an odds ratio (OR) of 1.076 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.010 - 1.147; p=0.024). Similarly, GSMR confirmed this relationship, showing an OR of 1.071 (95% CI = 1.004 - 1.143; p=0.038). No notable correlations were seen with other antibodies. Our findings suggest that H. pylori infection may be related to a higher likelihood of AD development, particularly through anti-H. pylori UREA antibodies.

Keywords

Helicobacter pylori / Infection / Alzheimer’s disease / Mendelian randomization / Genome-wide summary data-based Mendelian randomization

Funding

None.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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