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Assessing the causal association between celiac disease and Alzheimer disease and frontotemporal dementia: A bidirectional Mendelian randomization approach.

This study aimed to investigate the bidirectional causal relationship between celiac disease (CD) and the risk of Alzheimer disease (AD) or frontotemporal dementia (FTD) using Mendelian randomization (MR), in order to clarify prior inconsistent findings. We analyzed summary-level genome-wide association study (GWAS) data for CD, AD, and FTD. Single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) strongly associated with each condition were selected as genetic instruments. MR analysis was conducted in 2 directions: from CD to AD/FTD and from AD/FTD to CD. Mendelian Randomization Pleiotropy RESidual Sum and Outlier (MR-PRESSO) was used to detect and correct for pleiotropy, and Cochran Q assessed heterogeneity. Leave-one-out and Mendelian Randomization-Egger (MR-Egger) regression sensitivity analyses were performed to evaluate robustness. No evidence of a causal effect was found between CD and either AD or FTD in either direction (P > .05). Similarly, genetic liability to AD or FTD did not increase the risk of CD. Sensitivity analyses supported the robustness of the results, showing no pleiotropy or heterogeneity. Our findings suggest that CD is not causally linked to the development of AD or FTD. While shared genetic factors or comorbidities may exist, the association is likely noncausal, and other mechanisms of cognitive decline in CD patients warrant further study.

Humans

Proteomic analysis reveals distinct cerebrospinal fluid signatures across genetic frontotemporal dementia subtypes.

We used an untargeted mass spectrometric approach, tandem mass tag proteomics, for the identification of proteomic signatures in genetic frontotemporal dementia (FTD). A total of 238 cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples from the Genetic FTD Initiative were analyzed, including samples from 107 presymptomatic (44 C9orf72, 38 GRN, and 25 MAPT) and 55 symptomatic (27 C9orf72, 17 GRN, and 11 MAPT) mutation carriers as well as 76 mutation-negative controls ("noncarriers"). We found shared and distinct proteomic alterations in each genetic form of FTD. Among the proteins significantly altered in symptomatic mutation carriers compared with noncarriers, we found that a set of proteins including neuronal pentraxin 2 and fatty acid binding protein 3 changed across all three genetic forms of FTD and patients with Alzheimer's disease from previously published datasets. We observed differential changes in lysosomal proteins among symptomatic mutation carriers with marked abundance decreases in MAPT carriers but not other carriers. Further, we identified mutation-associated proteomic changes already evident in presymptomatic mutation carriers. Weighted gene coexpression network analysis combined with gene ontology annotation revealed clusters of proteins enriched in neurodegeneration and glial responses as well as synapse- or lysosome-related proteins indicating that these are the central biological processes affected in genetic FTD. These clusters correlated with measures of disease severity and were associated with cognitive decline. This study revealed distinct proteomic changes in the CSF of patients with genetic FTD, providing insights into the pathological processes involved in the disease. In addition, we identified proteins that warrant further exploration as diagnostic and prognostic biomarker candidates.

Humans

Genetic evidence for causal association between migraine and dementia: a mendelian randomization study.

BACKGROUND: There is an association between migraine and dementia, however, their causal relationship remains unclear. This study employed bidirectional two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) to investigate the potential causal relationship between migraine and dementia and its subtypes: Alzheimer's disease (AD), vascular dementia (VaD), frontotemporal dementia (FTD), and dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB). METHODS: Summary-level statistics data were obtained from publicly available genome-wide association studies (GWAS) for both migraine and five types of dementia. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with migraine and each dementia subtype were selected. MR analysis was conducted using inverse variance weighting (IVW) and weighted median (WM) methods. Sensitivity analyses included Cochran's Q test, MR pleiotropy residual sum and outlier (MR-PRESSO) analysis, the intercept of MR-Egger, and leave-one-out analysis. RESULTS: Migraine showed a significant causal relationship with AD and VaD, whereas no causal relationship was observed with all-cause dementia, FTD, or DLB. Migraine may be a potential risk factor for AD (odds ratio [OR]: 1.09; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.02-0.14; P = 0.007), while VaD may be a potential risk factor for migraine (OR: 1.04; 95% CI: 0.02-0.06; P = 7.760E-5). Sensitivity analyses demonstrated the robustness of our findings. CONCLUSION: Our study suggest that migraine may have potential causal relationships with AD and VaD. Migraine may be a risk factor for AD, and VaD may be a risk factor for migraine. Our study contributes to unraveling the comprehensive genetic associations between migraine and various types of dementia, and our findings will enhance the academic understanding of the comorbidity between migraine and dementia.

Humans

Elucidating shared genetic signals between type 2 diabetes and three neurodegenerative dementia phenotypes.

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) and dementia frequently co-occur, yet the biological mechanisms underlying this comorbidity remain incompletely understood. Here, we systematically investigate shared genetic signals between T2D and three forms of neurodegenerative dementia (Alzheimer disease, Lewy body dementia, and sporadic frontotemporal dementia) using large-scale genome-wide association studies of clinically diagnosed individuals. We identify five genomic regions harboring shared association signals between T2D and at least one dementia subtype. Among these, the APOE locus was common to all dementia subtypes, whereas the remaining four loci (GBA, CRY2/PEX16/MAPK8IP1, INO80E, and NSF) were each shared exclusively between T2D and one dementia subtype. Integrating multi-omics data across several disease-relevant tissues and orthogonal lines of functional evidence, we prioritize 26 candidate genes through which these shared genetic loci potentially mediate their effect. Pathway enrichment highlights lipid and lipoprotein regulatory biology as a central shared axis. Mendelian randomization analyses using genetically regulated gene expression in relevant tissues indicate pleiotropic mechanisms with divergent phenotypic consequences. Our findings identify shared genetic loci between T2D and neurodegenerative dementia, revealing systemic metabolic-neurodegenerative trade-offs and highlighting key genes that underpin the comorbidity, providing a framework for improved understanding of age-related multi-morbidity.

Alzheimer disease

Brain aging rejuvenation factors in adults with genetic and sporadic neurodegenerative disease.

The largest risk factor for dementia is age. Heterochronic blood exchange studies have uncovered age-related blood factors that demonstrate 'pro-aging' or 'pro-youthful' effects on the mouse brain. The clinical relevance and combined effects of these factors for humans is unclear. We examined five previously identified brain rejuvenation factors in cerebrospinal fluid of adults with autosomal dominant forms of frontotemporal dementia and sporadic Alzheimer's disease. Our frontotemporal dementia cohort included 100 observationally followed adults carrying autosomal dominant frontotemporal dementia mutations (Mage = 49.6; 50% female; 43% C9orf72, 24% GRN, 33% MAPT) and 62 non-carriers (Mage = 52.6; 45% female) with cerebrospinal fluid analysed on Somascan, and longitudinal (Mvisits = 3 years, range 1-7 years) neuropsychological and functional assessments and plasma neurofilament light chain. Our Alzheimer's disease cohort included 35 adults with sporadic Alzheimer's disease (Mage = 69.4; 60% female) and 56 controls (Mage = 68.8, 50% female) who completed the same cerebrospinal fluid and clinical outcome measures cross-sectionally. Levels of C-C motif chemokine ligand 11, C-C motif chemokine ligand 2, beta-2-micorglobulin, bone gamma-carboxyglutamate protein (aka Osteocalcin) and colony stimulating factor 2 in cerebrospinal fluid were linearly combined into a composite score, with higher values reflecting 'pro-youthful' levels. In genetic frontotemporal dementia, higher baseline cerebrospinal fluid rejuvenation proteins predicted slower decline across cognitive, functional, and neurofilament light chain trajectories; estimates were similar across genotypes. In transdiagnostic analyses, higher cerebrospinal fluid rejuvenation proteins associated with better functional, cognitive, and neurofilament light chain outcomes in adults with sporadic Alzheimer's disease. Proteins with pre-clinical evidence for brain rejuvenation show translational clinical relevance in adults with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias and warrant further investigation.

Alzheimer’s disease

Comprehensive cross-sectional and longitudinal comparisons of plasma glial fibrillary acidic protein and neurofilament light across FTD spectrum disorders.

BACKGROUND: Therapeutic development for frontotemporal dementia (FTD) is hindered by the lack of biomarkers that inform susceptibility/risk, prognosis, and the underlying causative pathology. Blood glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) has garnered attention as a FTD biomarker. However, investigations of GFAP in FTD have been hampered by symptomatic and histopathologic heterogeneity and small cohort sizes contributing to inconsistent findings. Therefore, we evaluated plasma GFAP as a FTD biomarker and compared its performance to that of neurofilament light (NfL) protein, a leading FTD biomarker. METHODS: We availed ARTFL LEFFTDS Longitudinal Frontotemporal Lobar Degeneration (ALLFTD) study resources to conduct a comprehensive cross-sectional and longitudinal examination of the susceptibility/risk, prognostic, and predictive performance of GFAP and NfL in the largest series of well-characterized presymptomatic FTD mutation carriers and participants with sporadic or familial FTD syndromes. Utilizing single molecule array technology, we measured GFAP and NfL in plasma from 161 controls, 127 presymptomatic mutation carriers, 702 participants with a FTD syndrome, and 67 participants with mild behavioral and/or cognitive changes. We used multivariable linear regression and Cox proportional hazard models adjusted for co-variates to examine the biomarker utility of baseline GFAP and NfL concentrations or their rates of change. RESULTS: Compared to controls, GFAP and NfL were elevated in each FTD syndrome but GFAP, unlike NfL, poorly discriminated controls from participants with mild symptoms. Similarly, both baseline GFAP and NfL were higher in presymptomatic mutation carriers who later phenoconverted, but NfL better distinguished non-converters from phenoconverters. We additionally observed that GFAP and NfL were associated with disease severity indicators and survival, but NfL far outperformed GFAP. Nevertheless, we validated findings that the GFAP/NfL ratio may discriminate frontotemporal lobar degeneration with tau versus TDP-43 pathology. CONCLUSIONS: Our head-to-head comparison of plasma GFAP and NfL as biomarkers for FTD indicate that NfL consistently outmatched GFAP as a prognostic and predictive biomarker for participants with a FTD syndrome, and as a susceptibility/risk biomarker for people at genetic risk of FTD. Our findings underscore the need to include leading biomarkers in investigations evaluating new biomarkers if the field is to fully ascertain their performance and clinical value.

Humans

Apolipoprotein E Alleles Across the Spectrum of Frontotemporal Lobar Degeneration: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of associations between apolipoprotein E (APOE) alleles and frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD)-spectrum disorders. MEDLINE, Embase, CENTRAL, and Google Scholar were searched. APOE2 and APOE4 carrier status were compared between FTLD-spectrum disorders and healthy controls (HCs) or individuals with Alzheimer's disease (AD). Forty studies were included. APOE4 carriage was more frequent in frontotemporal dementia (FTD) compared with HC (OR = 1.72; 95% CI = 1.45-2.04) and less common than in AD (OR = 0.35; 95% CI = 0.29-0.42). In contrast, APOE2 carriage was less prevalent in FTD relative to HC (OR = 0.83; 95% CI = 0.70-0.98) but more frequent compared with AD (OR = 1.80; 95% CI = 1.29-2.52). APOE4 effects were most pronounced in behavioral variant FTD. In clinically confirmed progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), APOE4 carriage was not associated with PSP. Analysis restricted to pathologically confirmed PSP cases, however, showed lower APOE4 carriage in PSP than in healthy controls (OR = 0.78, 95% CI = 0.65-0.94), although this association failed to reach the multiplicity-adjusted significance threshold. APOE2 carriage was not associated with PSP in either clinically established or pathologically confirmed samples. Evidence was insufficient to establish or exclude associations for other FTLD-spectrum disorders because of the limited available data. In conclusion, APOE alleles show distinct associations across the FTLD spectrum.

Humans

A computational ontology framework for the synthesis of multi-level pathology reports from brain MRI scans.

BackgroundConvolutional neural network (CNN) based volumetry of MRI data can help differentiate Alzheimer's disease (AD) and the behavioral variant of frontotemporal dementia (bvFTD) as causes of cognitive decline and dementia. However, existing CNN-based MRI volumetry tools lack a structured hierarchical representation of brain anatomy, which would allow for aggregating regional pathological information and automated computational inference.ObjectiveDevelop a computational ontology pipeline for quantifying hierarchical pathological abnormalities and visualize summary charts for brain atrophy findings, aiding differential diagnosis.MethodsUsing FastSurfer, we segmented brain regions and measured volume and cortical thickness from MRI scans pooled across multiple cohorts (N = 3433; ADNI, AIBL, DELCODE, DESCRIBE, EDSD, and NIFD), including healthy controls, prodromal and clinical AD cases, and bvFTD cases. Employing the Web Ontology Language (OWL), we built a semantic model encoding hierarchical anatomical information. Additionally, we created summary visualizations based on sunburst plots for visual inspection of the information stored in the ontology.ResultsOur computational framework dynamically estimated and aggregated regional pathological deviations across different levels of neuroanatomy abstraction. The disease similarity index derived from the volumetric and cortical thickness deviations achieved an AUC of 0.88 for separating AD and bvFTD, which was also reflected by distinct atrophy profile visualizations.ConclusionsThe proposed automated pipeline facilitates visual comparison of atrophy profiles across various disease types and stages. It provides a generalizable computational framework for summarizing pathologic findings, potentially enhancing the physicians' ability to evaluate brain pathologies robustly and interpretably.

Humans

Recurrent patterns of TOP1-mediated neuronal genomic damage shared by major neurodegenerative disorders.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), frontotemporal dementia (FTD), and Alzheimer's disease (AD) represent two major categories of neurodegenerative disorders-TAR DNA-binding protein 43 (TDP-43) and tau proteinopathies-for which the mechanisms driving neuronal death remain unclear. Single-cell whole-genome sequencing of 469 neurons from C9ORF72 ALS, C9ORF72 FTD, AD, and control brains revealed increased somatic single-nucleotide variants (sSNVs) and insertions/deletions (sIndels) in all three diseases. Mutational signature analysis identified a disease-associated sSNV signature consistent with oxidative damage and an sIndel process affecting 22% of ALS, 76% of FTD, and 61% of AD neurons-but only 2% of control neurons-resembling signature ID4, previously linked to topoisomerase 1 (TOP1)-mediated mutagenesis. Rapid approach to DNA adduct recovery (RADAR) assays confirmed increased TOP1-DNA covalent complexes, and duplex sequencing confirmed the increased sIndels and identified single-strand events as likely precursor lesions. TOP1-associated sIndel mutagenesis and genome instability thus represent a mechanism shared by both TDP-43 and tau neurodegeneration.

Humans

Phospho-proteome profiling in human neurons reveals targets of TBK1 in ALS/FTD-associated autophagy networks.

Loss-of-function variants in TBK1, encoding a protein kinase, are strongly associated with familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). However, how haploinsufficiency for TBK1 leads to age-related neurodegeneration remains unresolved. Here, we utilize sets of isogenic induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) with loss of TBK1 or loss of optineurin (OPTN) for quantitative global proteomics and phospho-proteomics in both stem cells and excitatory neurons. We found that TBK1 sustains the abundance and phosphorylation of its interacting adapter proteins, AZI2/NAP1, TANK, and TBKBP1/SINTBAD. Moreover, TBK1 regulates the phosphorylation of endo-lysosomal proteins, such as GABARAPL2, the late-endosome GTPase RAB7A, and selective autophagy cargo receptor proteins-including novel phospho-sites in p62/SQSTM1-in neurons. Finally, we provide a census of the phospho-proteome in nascent human neurons for further studies. Overall, TBK1 serves as a point of convergence in ALS/FTD-linked endo-lysosomal networks that act in a cell-autonomous manner to maintain protein homeostasis in neurons.

Humans

Multisystem Proteinopathy

CLINICAL CHARACTERISTICS: Multisystem proteinopathy (MSP) is a genetically heterogeneous, multisystem degenerative disorder characterized by adult-onset proximal and distal muscle weakness (clinically resembling a limb-girdle muscular dystrophy syndrome), early-onset Paget disease of bone (PDB), and premature frontotemporal dementia (FTD). Muscle weakness progresses to involve other limb and respiratory muscles. PDB involves focal areas of increased bone turnover that typically lead to spine and/or hip pain and localized enlargement and deformity of the long bones; pathologic fractures occur on occasion. Early stages of FTD are characterized by dysnomia, dyscalculia, comprehension deficits, and paraphasic errors, with minimal impairment of episodic memory; later stages are characterized by inability to speak, auditory comprehension deficits for even one-step commands, alexia, and agraphia. Mean age at diagnosis for muscle disease is 43 years, PDB is 41 years, and FTD is 56 years. Dilated cardiomyopathy, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and Parkinson disease are now known to be part of the spectrum of findings associated with MSP. DIAGNOSIS/TESTING: The diagnosis of MSP is established in a proband with typical clinical findings and a heterozygous pathogenic variant in VCP, HNRNPA1, HNRNPA2B1, or SQSTM1 identified by molecular genetic testing. MANAGEMENT: Treatment of manifestations: Weight control to avoid obesity; physical therapy and stretching exercises to promote mobility and prevent contractures; occupational therapy and mechanical aids (canes, walkers, orthotics, wheelchairs) as needed for ambulation/mobility; surgical intervention for foot deformity and scoliosis as needed; respiratory aids when indicated; assisted living arrangements for muscle weakness and/or dementia; bisphosphonates to relieve pain and disability from PDB; social and emotional support; education regarding safety precautions. Surveillance: Echocardiogram and electrocardiogram with repeat cardiac evaluation every two to three years or earlier if symptomatic; annual pulmonary function studies; sleep studies as clinically indicated; annual alkaline phosphatase measurement; skeletal imaging as indicated for evaluation of PDB; neurologic and neuropsychological assessment every two to three years or more frequently as needed; multidisciplinary monitoring for respiratory, cardiac, musculoskeletal, and cognitive decline. GENETIC COUNSELING: MSP is inherited in an autosomal dominant manner. Most individuals diagnosed with MSP have an affected parent. Estimates based largely on VCP-MSP suggest that approximately 5% of individuals have a de novo pathogenic variant. Each child of an individual with MSP has a 50% chance of inheriting the MSP-related pathogenic variant. Marked intrafamilial variability may be observed among heterozygous family members, including differences in age at onset, severity, rate of progression, and the specific combination of manifestations. Once the MSP-related pathogenic variant has been identified in an affected family member, predictive testing for at-risk family members and prenatal/preimplantation genetic testing are possible.

Inclusion Body Myopathy with Early-Onset Paget Dis

Protective TMEM106B-rs3173615 delays age at onset in GRN mutation carriers.

One of the major causative genes involved in Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) is Granulin (GRN), encoding for Progranulin (PGRN). GRN mutation carriers show a substantial heterogeneity with high variability in age at onset and pathological presentation, even within the same family or identical mutations, suggesting the presence of additional genetic factors. Single nucleotide polymorphisms in the Transmembrane protein 106B (TMEM106B) locus were identified as a genetic risk-associated factor for FTD. The top variant identified was the non-coding rs1990622, with the major allele (T) associated with an increased risk to develop FTD, while subjects with the minor allele (C) were less likely to develop disease, suggesting a protective effect. In this study, we investigate in a large Italian cohort of GRN mutation carriers, how the coding variant TMEM106B-rs3173615, in linkage disequilibrium with rs1990622, modulates age at onset, survival, and PGRN levels, including, up to date, the highest sample size of homozygous protective allele carriers. Genetic screening for TMEM106B-rs3173615 was performed on a total of 187 GRN mutation carriers, comprising 131 FTD patients and 56 pre-symptomatic subjects. Individuals with the protective genotype (GG) had a risk of FTD onset reduced by 80%, with a median age at onset of 77 years compared to a median age at onset of 63 years for individuals without the protective genotype. TMEM106B-rs3173615 acts as a genetic modifier of age at onset in the presence of GRN mutations and could be considered in clinical practice to optimize risk stratification for FTD.

Humans

Chemoproteomic Profiling of Reactive Cysteines in Response to Oxidative Stress Induced by 6-Hydroxydopamine.

Although oxidative stress is a well-established driver of neurodegeneration, it remains poorly understood as to how the global cysteine (Cys) proteome is remodeled under oxidative stress conditions. Proteins with aberrantly modified cysteines in response to oxidative stress can induce and exacerbate neurodegeneration, contributing to disorders like Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, frontotemporal dementia, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. In this study, we induced oxidative stress in SH-SY5Y neuronal cells by subjecting them to the neurotoxin 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA). To identify proteins with altered cysteine oxidation or PTM status, we used a desthiobiotin iodoacetamide (DBIA) probe, which selectively labels cysteines with unmodified and preserved thiols. Using these unbiased chemoproteomic strategies, we identified proteins with reduced Cys reactivity to DBIA in response to 6-OHDA-induced oxidative stress. Many of these proteins are critically involved in biological processes linked to cell stress responses (e.g., mitochondrial oxidative stress and apoptosis). Furthermore, we found that two key Cys on UCHL1 (a deubiquitinase critically involved in neurodegeneration) exhibited enhanced reactivity under oxidative stress conditions. Our study defines the remodeling of the Cys proteome under 6-OHDA-induced oxidative stress conditions. Furthermore, these findings suggest potential cysteine-mediated regulatory mechanisms in response to oxidative stress, providing a valuable resource for further exploration of cysteine modifications in the context of neurodegenerative signaling.

Oxidopamine

Transcriptome-wide association analysis of Alzheimer's disease: construction and clinical validation of transcriptomic risk scores.

Early identification of individuals at high risk for Alzheimer's disease (AD) is crucial for disease prevention and intervention. This study aims to develop AD-specific transcriptomic risk scores (TRSs) through multi-tissue transcriptome-wide association study (TWAS) and to evaluate its clinical utility in AD diagnosis and risk prediction. Using GWAS summary statistics combined with expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL) data from 14 tissues, a multi-tissue TWAS approach was applied to identify AD-associated genes. Peripheral blood RNA expression data from the ADNI and GEO databases were used to construct the AD-specific TRSs. The associations of TRSs with AD pathological features and cognitive function were assessed in two independent cohorts. Furthermore, the diagnostic performance, differential diagnostic capability, and risk prediction efficiency of TRSs were evaluated. The TWAS identified 131 genes significantly associated with AD. The TRSs were significantly elevated in patients with AD and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) compared to cognitively normal (CN) individuals, and showed significant correlations with AD pathological markers and cognitive performance. When combined with APOE4 status, the TRSs demonstrated robust diagnostic ability for AD and MCI. When combined with age, the TRSs showed good diagnostic performance in distinguishing AD from frontotemporal dementia (FTD) (AUC = 0.86). Additionally, the TRSs effectively predicted the risk of progression to AD in non-AD individuals (HR = 1.74). The AD-specific TRSs developed in this study shows promising clinical utility in AD diagnosis, differential diagnosis, and risk prediction, providing valuable translational medical evidence for early screening and precision prevention of Alzheimer's disease.

Humans

The long road to diagnosis: recessive PMPCB deficiency hidden behind a dominant familial VCP defect.

Multiple mitochondrial dysfunctions syndrome 6 (MMDS6), caused by biallelic likely pathogenic variants in PMPCB, is an extremely rare autosomal recessive childhood-onset neurodegenerative disorder, with only six reported cases to date, most resulting in early mortality. Pathogenic variants in VCP cause multisystem proteinopathy 1 (MSP1), an autosomal dominant adult-onset disorder encompassing inclusion body myopathy (IBM), frontotemporal dementia (FTD), and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), typically presenting in mid-adulthood. We describe a 23-year-old female with two likely pathogenic variants presumed to be in trans in PMPCB and a co-occurring pathogenic VCP variant. She was misdiagnosed for over 20 years with early-onset VCP-related neurodegeneration due to a maternal family history of ALS. Her disease began at birth with microcephaly and progressed throughout childhood, including developmental regression, cerebellar and cerebral atrophy, optic atrophy, seizures, spasticity, dysarthria, and loss of ambulation. Initial genetic testing identified only the familial VCP variant. Updated genomic sequencing at age 23 revealed two likely pathogenic PMPCB variants, strong supporting a diagnosis of MMDS6. Her clinical features closely align with previously reported MMDS6 cases and are inconsistent with the typical adult-onset phenotype of VCP-associated disorders. While she shares overlapping features with VCP-related disease (limb-girdle weakness, spasticity, FTD), the timing and severity of her neurodevelopmental findings support MMDS6 as the primary diagnosis. Early mitochondrial dysfunction may predispose her to an accelerated or more severe future VCP-associated phenotype. This is the first report of combined likely pathogenic and pathogenic variants in PMPCB and VCP respectively, expanding the phenotypic spectrum of both disorders. The case underscores the necessity of periodic re-evaluation with advanced genetic testing, highlights important ethical and familial implications, and informs future diagnosis and management of patients with overlapping rare genetic conditions.

Dual molecular diagnosis

Altered neuronal start codon stringency favors cap-independent repeat-associated non-AUG translation.

Intronic GGGGCC repeat expansions in C9orf72 cause amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). This expansion supports a non-canonical form of translational initiation known as repeat-associated non-AUG (RAN) translation to produce toxic dipeptide repeat proteins that contribute to neurodegeneration. Here, we find that the efficiency of RAN translation and its dependency on the 5' 7-methylguanosine mRNA cap are variable across cell types, with both rodent neurons and human iNeurons favoring cap-independent RAN translation from two distinct repeats (CGG and GGGGCC) across multiple reading frames. Treatment with an eIF4E inhibitor that blocks cap-dependent translation enhances RAN translation specifically in neurons. Intriguingly, cap-independent RAN translation exhibits less reliance on near-cognate codons for initiation than cap-dependent RAN translation. This finding led us to identify a surprising global alteration in neuronal start codon stringency as a contributor to the relatively higher cap-independent RAN translation in this cell type. This effect correlates with cytoplasmic redistribution of eIF1 in neurons and is reversed with overexpression of the eukaryotic initiation factor eIF5, which relaxes start codon stringency and preferentially enhances cap-dependent RAN translation. Together, these findings reveal several neuron-specific features of translational regulation that favor cap-independent RAN translation with implications for nucleotide repeat expansion disorder pathogenesis.

Neurons

RNA/DNA Binding Protein TDP43 Regulates DNA Mismatch Repair Genes with Implications for Genome Stability.

TDP43 is an RNA/DNA binding protein increasingly recognized for its role in neurodegenerative conditions, including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). As characterized by its aberrant nuclear export and cytoplasmic aggregation, TDP43 proteinopathy is a hallmark feature in over 95% of ALS/FTD cases, leading to the formation of detrimental cytosolic aggregates and a reduction in nuclear functionality within neurons. Building on our prior work linking TDP43 proteinopathy to the accumulation of DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) in neurons, the present investigation uncovers a novel regulatory relationship between TDP43 and DNA mismatch repair (MMR) gene expressions. Here, we show that TDP43 depletion or overexpression directly affects the expression of key MMR genes. Alterations include MLH1, MSH2, MSH3, MSH6, and PMS2 levels across various primary cell lines, independent of their proliferative status. Our results specifically establish that TDP43 selectively influences the expression of MLH1 and MSH6 by influencing their alternative transcript splicing patterns and stability. We furthermore find aberrant MMR gene expression is linked to TDP43 proteinopathy in two distinct ALS mouse models and post-mortem brain and spinal cord tissues of ALS patients. Notably, MMR depletion resulted in the partial rescue of TDP43 proteinopathy-induced DNA damage and signaling. Moreover, bioinformatics analysis of the TCGA cancer database reveals significant associations between TDP43 expression, MMR gene expression, and mutational burden across multiple cancers. Collectively, our findings implicate TDP43 as a critical regulator of the MMR pathway and unveil its broad impact on the etiology of both neurodegenerative and neoplastic pathologies.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis