Hong Kong,, October 2, 2025 / Prnewswire / – A historical study conducted by the University of Hong Kong Sciences and Technology (HKUST) has shown that a genetic variant, Trem2 H157Y, considerably increases the risk of Alzheimer’s disease (MA) in individuals of ethnic origin. Research reveals that this variant gives a level of risk comparable to that of the most well -known genetic risk factor for the MA, Apoe-ε4, and is associated with faster clinical progression and a more severe neurodegeneration.
This is the first in the field to conduct an in -depth family clinical case study on a genetic risk factor enriched in Chinese for the MA, the Trem2 Variant H157Y. The results, published in Alzheimer’s and dementia: the newspaper of the Alzheimer’s associationhave deep implications for disease monitoring and patient management.
Highlights of results::
- THE Trem2 The H157Y variant is associated with an increased risk of MA.
- THE Trem2 The H157Y variant is found in around 1 ethnic Chinese individuals out of 200.
- Patients with the Trem2 The H157Y variant experiences faster clinical progression.
- Advertising patients with Trem2 The H157Y variant has more serious results of the disease.
- Changes in blood protein biomarkers in Trem2 H157Y variant carriers have revealed specific underlying biological processes, highlighting their potential use to monitor the progression of the disease and develop personalized disease management.
The announcement currently affects around 10 million people on the Chinese continent, the number planned at around 50 million by 2050. The genetic factors represent 60 to 80% of the risk of late announcement, with the Apoe the gene being the most studied, followed by Trem2. The two genetic risk factors have significant differences in prevalence and the effects of risk in different ethnic populations. In particular, the most studied Trem2 The genetic variant, R47H, is enriched with European populations but is not found in Chinese populations. As most of the MA genetic studies have been carried out in European populations, it is crucial to undertake such studies on various populations.
To fill this shortcoming, the Hong Kong Center for Neurododegenerative Diseases (HK Even) launched its biobanque (HKcend Biobank) for advertising research. Directed by HKUST and in collaboration with Hong Kong hospitals, this biobanque collects and consolidates complete clinical, neuroimagery and multi-ordinary data of individuals of Chinese ethnic origin. This makes it an essential resource to study the genetic factors enriched in Chinese as the Trem2 Variant H157Y.
This research on the genetic variant was conducted by a team led by Professor Nancy IP, President and Professor of Life Sciences at Morningsoid in Hkust. She is also director of the State Key Laboratory of Nervous System Disorders (SKLNSD) in Hkust and director of the Center for the Innov HK End.
The study resulted in several new discoveries. The clinical case study has shown that Trem2 H157Y varying carriers with the Apoe-ε4 The risk factor has faster clinical progression in the first stages of the disease, compared to non-porters. Cognitive evaluations, neuroimperry and analyzes of AD blood biomarkers indicated that patients with my bearing Trem2 The H157Y variant significantly aggravated cognitive functions, a more serious neurodegeneration and a pathology of the most severe MA. In addition, the analysis of the profile of blood proteins has revealed alterations of immune, vascular and bone biological processes in these individuals. This highlights the use of blood biomarkers to study how genetic risk factors influence MA’s pathology, generating new perspectives on advertising biology and therapeutic development of new ones.
Professor IP noticed: “This study is the first to demonstrate that the Trem2 The genetic variant of H157Y is associated with a more severe AD pathology and neurodegeneration. The prevalence of Trem2 The H157Y variant among Chinese ethnic people emphasizes the importance of conducting genetic studies in the Chinese population. “She added:” This study also highlights the critical clinical implications of the genetic variant for timely intervention and personalized disease management. Our research benefits from public participation and close collaboration between clinicians and scientists, effectively linking scientific results to improve patient results. “”
The study was supported by multiple financing organizations, in particular the innovation initiative of the Innovation and Technology Commission (ITC) of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, the Domains of Excellence Committee of the University’s Gases Committee, the Research Research Council (RGC) of Hong Kong, the SCHC Charity Foundation Tai Fook Laboratory of Brain Science, under the Chinese Academy of Sciences. The clinical case study was conducted in collaboration with Professor Timothy Kwok from Prince of Wales Hospital, the Chinese University of Hong Kong.
Download photos here: http://bit.ly/4mldg95
Watch the video for the strengths of research: https://youtu.be/fx1vom5daqa
Show the original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/News-releases/hkust-Scientists-reveal-critical-impto-of-a-chinese-genetic-risk-factor-in-alzheimers-disease-302573866.html
Source of the Hong Kong University of Sciences and Technologies
