Research has discovered that men who carry a common genetic variant are twice as likely to develop dementia in their lifetime compared to women. This groundbreaking study, published in Neurology, used data from the ASPirin in Reducing Events in the Elderly (ASPREE) trial to investigate whether people with variants in the haemochromatosis (HFE) gene might be at increased risk of dementia.

One in three people carry one copy of the H63D variant, while one in 36 carry two copies. Having just one copy of this gene variant does not impact someone’s health or increase their risk of dementia. However, having two copies of the variant more than doubled the risk of dementia in men, but not women.

The researchers emphasize that the genetic variant itself cannot be changed, but the brain pathways affected by it could potentially be treated if we understood more about it. Further research is needed to investigate why this genetic variant increased the risk of dementia for males but not females.

The findings suggest that perhaps testing for the HFE gene could be offered to men more broadly, considering its routine testing in most Western countries, including Australia, when assessing people for haemochromatosis – a disorder that causes the body to absorb too much iron. The study found no direct link between iron levels in the blood and increased dementia risk in affected men.

This points to other mechanisms at play, possibly involving the increased risk of brain injury from inflammation and cell damage in the body. Understanding why men with the double H63D variant are at higher risk could pave the way for more personalized approaches to prevention and treatment.

The ASPREE trial was a groundbreaking study that created a treasure trove of healthy ageing data, which has underpinned a wealth of research studies. This collaboration between Curtin University, Monash University, The University of Melbourne, The Royal Children’s Hospital, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, and Fiona Stanley Hospital demonstrates the importance of diverse Australian research groups working together to improve health outcomes for people around the world.

The implications of this study are significant, considering that more than 400,000 Australians are currently living with dementia, with around a third of those being men. This discovery could lead to improved outcomes for people at risk of developing dementia and ultimately contribute to a better understanding of these progressive diseases.

The production of green hydrogen is set to play an increasingly important role in the future energy system, offering a nearly climate-neutral way to store chemical energy and produce climate-friendly fuels. However, one of the bottlenecks in this process is the oxygen evolution reaction (OER), which requires special catalysts to speed up the formation of hydrogen and oxygen at the electrodes.

Current catalysts are made from precious metals, but these are rare and expensive, limiting their use for large-scale industrial applications. Researchers at the Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin (HZB) have now identified a promising alternative: MXene structures that can host catalytically active particles to enhance the oxygen evolution reaction.

MXenes are flaky structures made of carbon and transition metals, which can be used as carriers for embedding catalytically active particles. A team led by Michelle Browne at HZB has developed sophisticated variants of these materials, using different vanadium carbide MXene variants as the basis for their research.

One variant, V2CTx with 10% vanadium vacancies, was found to have a significantly larger internal surface area than the pure MXene. This structure was then embedded with Co0.66Fe0.34 catalyst particles using a multi-step chemical process in Michelle Browne’s laboratory at HZB.

The resulting material showed a significant enhancement in catalytic activity compared to the pure iron-cobalt compound, and further improved efficiency when used as a carrier for the catalytically active particles. The team was able to track changes in the oxidation numbers of cobalt and iron during the electrolytic reaction using in situ X-ray absorption spectroscopy at the SOLEIL synchrotron source.

The results provide initial insights into the complex interplay between the carrier structure, the embedding of catalytically active particles, and catalytic activity. MXene is a promising candidate for the development of innovative, highly efficient, and inexpensive catalysts, and its use as a carrier material could revolutionize the production of green hydrogen.

As Michelle Browne emphasizes, “Currently, the industry has not yet considered MXene as a carrier material for catalytically active particles on the radar. We are conducting basic research here, but with clear prospects: on applications.” The study’s first author, Can Kaplan, adds that their results make the technology really meaningful and interesting for industrial applications.

The potential of MXene catalysts to accelerate the oxygen evolution reaction and boost green hydrogen production is a promising path forward in the energy transition. With further research and development, these materials could play a crucial role in making green hydrogen more viable and cost-effective, ultimately contributing to a more sustainable energy future.

The APOE gene is a major genetic risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease, with three different versions: APOE2, APOE3, and APOE4. While APOE4 increases the risk of developing Alzheimer’s, APOE2 is associated with a lower risk. However, how these isoforms lead to strikingly different risk profiles is poorly understood.

A recent study published in Nature Communications offers clues into how APOE isoforms differentially affect human microglia function in Alzheimer’s disease. The study, led by Dr. Sarah Marzi and Dr. Kitty Murphy at the UK Dementia Research Institute at King’s College London and the Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, underscores the need for new targeted interventions based on APOE genotypes.

The researchers developed a human “xenotransplantation model,” where human microglia were grown from stem cells, manipulated to express different APOE versions, then transplanted into the brains of mice that had developed a buildup of amyloid plaques. The microglia were then isolated and analyzed for their gene expression (using transcriptomics) and chromatin accessibility.

The study uncovered widespread changes to the transcriptomic and chromatin landscape of microglia, dependent on the APOE isoform expressed. The largest differences were observed when comparing the APOE2 and APOE4 microglia.

In APOE4 microglia, researchers saw an increase in the production of cytokines, signaling molecules involved in immune regulation. They also observed diminished capacity for the microglia to migrate and shift into protective states. Furthermore, the microglia became less effective in phagocytosis, a process by which they digest and clear up particles such as debris and pathogens.

Conversely, APOE2 microglia showed increased expression of various genes that increase microglia proliferation and migration, and a decreased inflammatory immune response. Additionally, APOE2 microglia showed increased DNA-binding of the vitamin D receptor. Low levels of vitamin D have been associated with a higher incidence of Alzheimer’s.

The study highlights that microglia responses to amyloid pathology differ significantly across APOE versions. This finding underscores that considering the interplay between genetic risk factors and microglial states is critical in disease progression. The study also highlights the potential role of the vitamin D receptor, providing new avenues for therapeutic exploration.

Dr. Sarah Marzi, Senior Lecturer in Neuroscience at King’s College London and lead author of the study, said: “Our findings emphasize that there is a complex interplay between genetic, epigenetic, and environmental factors that influence microglial responses in Alzheimer’s disease. We found remarkable differences when comparing microglia expressing different isoforms of the same gene. Our research suggests that microglia expressing the risk-increasing APOE4 variant are not as effective at mounting protective microglial functions, including cell migration, phagocytosis and anti-inflammatory signaling. This underscores the need for targeted interventions based on APOE genotype.”