Relationship between susceptibility to neurodegenerative diseases and genetic factors in populations exposed to mercury in Medellín, Colombia.

INTRODUCTION

Neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s are associated with genetic and environmental factors, including exposure to mercury, a heavy metal with neurotoxic effects.

OBJECTIVES

To identify and analyze alleles and genes linked to neurodegenerative diseases in relation to mercury exposure in Colombia.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

Scientific literature and population genotype data from public databases were reviewed, covering 94 Colombian adults genotyped under the CLM (Colombians from Medellín) reference. Data traceability was ensured through ID registration in the 1000 Genomes project database, guaranteeing informed consent and bioethical approval. Eleven genes (GSTP1, ATP7B, BDNF, GCLC, GCLM, MT1A, MT4, ABCC2, ABCB1, GPX1 y GPX4) with 18 polymorphisms distributed across ten chromosomes were analyzed using the SNPstatsTM program. The c² test was applied to evaluate the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, considering deviations with p < 0.05 as significant.

RESULTS

The results showed a high probability of an association between neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s and mercury exposure in individuals with genetic variants related to glutathione metabolism and mercury transport and excretion pathways.

CONCLUSIONS

Genetic alterations or their expression involving mercury bioaccumulation, its crossing of the blood-brain barrier, central nervous system inflammation, and oxidative stress from reactive oxygen and nitrogen species increase the risk of developing Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease.