Researchers at the University of Lethbridge have received funding for work studying the causes of Alzheimer's disease. (File photo: LNN)

By Justin Goulet

University of Lethbridge researchers receives grant to study causes of Alzheimer’s disease

May 10, 2023 | 12:40 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – Researchers at the University of Lethbridge (U of L) have received a funding boost to help with research into Alzheimer’s disease.

Doctors Rob McDonald and Igor Kovalchuk are focusing their research on late-onset or sporadic Alzheimer’s disease (SAD). A news release from the U of L noted that most of the research into Alzheimer’s has focused on the familial type where the disease has a prominent genetic component. The U of L said that 90- to 95 per cent of Alzheimer’s cases are late-onset or sporadic.

McDonald and Kovalchuk have been awarded $250,000 to use towards their research into SAD. The funding comes from the federal government’s New Frontiers in Research Fund.

The duo will be joined by Tony Montina, a U of L expert in metabolomics, which is the study in metabolites in cells, fluids, and tissues.

McDonald, who is a neuroscientist with the Canadian Centre for Behavioural Neuroscience, said, “Our theory is the following: If you take a large population of sporadic patients, they would fall into subgroups or subtypes.”

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McDonald added, “The actual factors causing their Alzheimer’s disease would be different for each subtype. The clinical outcome can be quite similar, but the co-factors causing it can be different. Depending on the co-factors people have, different mechanisms are going to be triggered and the pathology will be different, so you have to treat it differently.”

The researchers will be using a model where mice have been specifically bred with gene polymorphisms. Those are alterations in specific DNA sequences.

McDonald explained, “The gene mutations we’re using are of interest for their potential roles in inflammation and insulin regulation.”

The team will assess brain and body changes in the mutant mice models alone and in combination with different lifestyle changes, including stress and diet.

The second part of the project will see researchers assess the effects of targeted cannabinoid treatments on the mutant mice with their lifestyle modifications by looking at brain pathology, body changes and cognitive impairments associated with SAD.

McDonald said, “Marijuana is made up of at least 400 chemical entities and 100 of those are phytocannabinoids. They have these compelling properties and people are interested in how they may target some of the pathologies associated with different diseases.”

Kovalchuk is a U of L chemistry professor with expertise in cannabis extracts.

He will create cannabinoid extracts with different combinations and strengths in an effort to target the mechanisms the researchers suspect are activated in the subtypes. The makeup of the extract will change based off the type of polymorphism and lifestyle factor being targeted.

The U of L noted that a recent development in the field is the option to conduct genome-wide association studies. Researchers have identified 100 or more genes mutations that are associated with sporadic version – inherited and random mutations that do not cause SAD by themselves.

McDonald stated, “These mutations could make people more susceptible to other factors, like lifestyle factors, than a normal person. One person may have a gene polymorphism and age nicely, but another person who has, for example, a poor diet or is often stressed, may descend into dementia faster.”

McDonald has begun working with researchers in Montreal, who can determine the types of polymorphism that exist in a patient. From there, the hope is to provide patients with advice on what to avoid in their lifestyles.

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