In a study published in the journal Cell Genomics, scientists from the US National Institutes of Health (NIH) have identified new genetic risk factors for two types of non-Alzheimers dementia. In the study, the scientist found several structural variants that can contribute as a risk factor for Lewy body dementia (LBD) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD).

A number of neurological illnesses can be linked to structural variations.  For the study, the team examined whole-genome data collected from thousands of patient and unaffected controls. They combined cutting-edge computer techniques capable of identifying structural changes throughout the whole genome with machine learning.

The findings of the study showed that a previously unknown variant in the gene TCPN1 was found in samples collected from patients diagnosed with LBD. They explained that variant is characterized by deletion of more than 300 nucleotides deleted from the gene. 

They also explained that although, this finding is new for LBD, TCPN1 is a known risk factor for Alzheimer`s, which could mean that this structural variant plays a role in the broader dementia population.

Additionally, the scientists were able to identify several other rare structural variants by looking at a group of 50 genes implicated in inherited neurodegenerative diseases which are known to cause other disease. The scientists identified two well-established risk factors for FTD changes in the C9 or f72 and MAPT genes. 

(Source: https://www.daijiworld.com/news/newsDisplay?newsID=1078044 )