Systematic review and meta-analysis of bulk RNAseq studies in human Alzheimer's disease brain tissue.

OBJECTIVE

To systematically review and meta-analyze bulk RNA sequencing studies comparing Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients with controls in human brain tissue, assessing study quality and identifying key genes and pathways.

METHODS

We searched PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus on September 23, 2023, for studies using bulk RNAseq on primary human brain tissue from AD patients and controls. Excluded were non-primary tissue, re-analyses without new data, limited RNA types and gene panels. Quality was assessed with a 10-category tool. Meta-analysis used high-quality datasets.

RESULTS

From 3,266 records, 24 studies met criteria. Meta-analysis found 571 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in temporal lobe and 189 in frontal lobe; overlapping pathways included "Tube morphogenesis" and "Neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction."

LIMITATIONS: Study heterogeneity and limited data tables constrained the review.

CONCLUSIONS

Rigorous methods are vital in AD transcriptomic studies. Findings enhance understanding of transcriptomic changes, aiding biomarker and therapeutic development.

REGISTRATION: PROSPERO (CRD42023466522).