Page 295 - EJMO-9-3

Eurasian Journal of Medicine

and Oncology

SHORT COMMUNICATION
Causal links between Helicobacter pylori

infection and Alzheimer’s disease: Insights from
genome-wide summary data-based Mendelian

randomization

1,2
Yuan Xin Hou 1,2 , Ao Wang 1 , and Ke Yi *
1 Key Laboratory of Obstetrics and Gynecologic and Pediatric Diseases and Birth Defects of Ministry
of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
2 Department of Operation Management, Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Occurrence and
Intervention of Rheumatic Diseases/Hubei Provincial Clinical Research Center for Nephrology,
Minda Hospital of Hubei Minzu University, Hubei Minzu University, Enshi, Hubei, China

Abstract

Introduction: Helicobacter pylori infection is associated with various illnesses like
Alzheimer’s disease (AD).
Objective: The purpose of this work is to utilize Mendelian randomization (MR)
methods to examine the possible link between AD and H. pylori infection.
Methods: We utilized information from the Finngen database and the UK Biobank for
MR analysis. Six antibodies related to H. pylori were assessed for their association with
*Corresponding author: AD. The MR analysis involved two-sample methods, while generalized summary data-
Ke Yi based MR (GSMR) was employed to analyze genetic data for a robust causal inference.
(yike@scu.edu.cn)
Results: The two-sample MR investigation exhibited a strong link among AD and
Citation: Hou YX, Wang A, Yi K. anti-H. pylori UREA antibodies, with an odds ratio (OR) of 1.076 (95% confidence
Causal links between Helicobacter interval [CI] = 1.010 – 1.147; p=0.024). Similarly, GSMR confirmed this relationship,
pylori infection and Alzheimer’s
disease: Insights from genome-wide showing an OR of 1.071 (95% CI = 1.004 – 1.143; p=0.038). No notable correlations
summary data-based Mendelian were seen with other antibodies.
randomization. Eurasian J Med Conclusion: Our findings suggest that H. pylori infection may be related to a higher
Oncol. 2025;9(3):287-293.
doi: 10.36922/EJMO025140087 likelihood of AD development, particularly through anti-H. pylori UREA antibodies.
Received: April 4, 2025
Revised: April 27, 2025 Keywords: Helicobacter pylori; Infection; Alzheimer’s disease; Mendelian randomization;
Genome-wide summary data-based Mendelian randomization
Accepted: May 6, 2025
Published online: May 22, 2025
Copyright: © 2025 Author(s).
This is an Open-Access article 1. Introduction
distributed under the terms of the
Creative Commons Attribution The Gram-negative, spiral-shaped bacterium Helicobacter pylori is commonly found in
License, permitting distribution, the human stomach and is widely recognized as a primary pathogen responsible for
and reproduction in any medium, chronic gastritis and peptic ulcers. In addition, a substantial correlation exists between
1,2
provided the original work is
3
properly cited. H. pylori infection and the development of stomach cancer. While the bacterium’s effects
have traditionally been associated with the gastrointestinal system, recent studies have
Publisher’s Note: AccScience
Publishing remains neutral with begun to explore its potential links to neurological disorders. 4,5
regard to jurisdictional claims in
published maps and institutional Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative illness that causes memory loss
affiliations. and gradual decline in cognitive abilities, severely compromising patients’ day-to-day

Volume 9 Issue 3 (2025) 287 doi: 10.36922/EJMO025140087