Meta-Analysis Finds 91 Alzheimer’s Risk Loci, Including 16 New in 978,514 Controls and Cases
Updated
Updated · Nature.com · Jun 3
Meta-Analysis Finds 91 Alzheimer’s Risk Loci, Including 16 New in 978,514 Controls and Cases
3 articles · Updated · Nature.com · Jun 3
Summary
A pooled analysis of 52 studies linked 91 genome-wide significant loci to Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias, adding 16 new loci and finding 56 signals that also held in clinically diagnosed Alzheimer’s cases.
The study combined genetic data from 128,681 cases or proxy cases and 849,833 controls or proxy controls of European ancestry to sharpen earlier, partly discordant genome-wide findings.
A polygenic score excluding APOE tracked Alzheimer’s pathology more than non-Alzheimer’s disease: people in the top decile had about double the risk of severe Braak tangles and moderate-to-severe neuritic amyloid plaques at death versus the median group.
The score improved discrimination beyond age, sex and APOE status, but explained only a small share of variance, underscoring that the findings are more useful for biological insight than near-term prediction.
Researchers said larger datasets with clinically characterized patients and neuropathology will be needed to validate 18 additional candidate loci and clarify which signals drive Alzheimer’s versus other dementias.
With 91 new Alzheimer's gene links found in Europeans, will resulting therapies neglect other ethnicities?
A new genetic map for Alzheimer's is here. How long until it leads to a cure?
Landmark Discovery: 91 Genetic Loci Unveiled in Alzheimer’s Disease—A New Era for Precision Medicine and Global Risk Prediction
Overview
On June 3, 2026, an international team of genetic researchers made a major breakthrough by identifying 91 genetic regions linked to Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. This large-scale meta-analysis confirmed that Alzheimer's is highly polygenic, meaning many genes each have a small effect on disease risk. The study provided important new insights into how the disease works, highlighting the roles of immune processes, beta-amyloid and tau biology, and lipid metabolism. These findings mark a significant step forward in understanding the complex genetic factors behind Alzheimer's and open new possibilities for targeted prevention and treatment.