Citations

Abstract The Human Phenotype Ontology (HPO) is a widely used resource that comprehensively organizes and defines the phenotypic features of human disease, enabling computational inference and supporting genomic and phenotypic analyses through semantic similarity and machine learning algorithms. The HPO has widespread applications in clinical diagnostics and translational research, including genomic diagnostics, gene-disease discovery, and cohort analytics. In recent years, groups around the world have developed translations of the HPO from English to other languages, and the HPO browser has been internationalized, allowing users to view HPO term labels and in many cases synonyms and definitions in ten languages in addition to English. Since our last report, a total of 2239 new HPO terms and 49235 new HPO annotations were developed, many in collaboration with external groups in the fields of psychiatry, arthrogryposis, immunology and cardiology. The Medical Action Ontology (MAxO) is a new effort to model treatments and other measures taken for clinical management. Finally, the HPO consortium is contributing to efforts to integrate the HPO and the GA4GH Phenopacket Schema into electronic health records (EHRs) with the goal of more standardized and computable integration of rare disease data in EHRs.

Abstract INTRODUCTION Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) research has advanced our understanding of neurodegeneration in sporadic early‐onset Alzheimer's disease (EOAD) but studies include small samples, mostly amnestic EOAD, and have not focused on developing an MRI biomarker. METHODS We analyzed MRI scans to define the sporadic EOAD‐signature atrophy in a small sample (n = 25) of Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) EOAD patients, investigated its reproducibility in the large longitudinal early‐onset Alzheimer's disease study (LEADS) sample (n = 211), and investigated the relationship of the magnitude of atrophy with cognitive impairment. RESULTS The EOAD‐signature atrophy was replicated across the two cohorts, with prominent atrophy in the caudal lateral temporal cortex, inferior parietal lobule, and posterior cingulate and precuneus cortices, and with relative sparing of the medial temporal lobe. The magnitude of EOAD‐signature atrophy was associated with the severity of cognitive impairment. DISCUSSION The EOAD‐signature atrophy is a reliable and clinically valid biomarker of AD‐related neurodegeneration that could be used in clinical trials for EOAD. Highlights We developed an early‐onset Alzheimer's disease (EOAD)–signature of atrophy based on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans. EOAD signature was robustly reproducible across two independent patient cohorts. EOAD signature included prominent atrophy in parietal and posterior temporal cortex. The EOAD‐signature atrophy was associated with the severity of cognitive impairment. EOAD signature is a reliable and clinically valid biomarker of neurodegeneration.

ImportanceIncreased white matter hyperintensity (WMH) volume is a common magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) finding in both autosomal dominant Alzheimer disease (ADAD) and late-onset Alzheimer disease (LOAD), but it remains unclear whether increased WMH along the AD continuum is reflective of AD-intrinsic processes or secondary to elevated systemic vascular risk factors.ObjectiveTo estimate the associations of neurodegeneration and parenchymal and vessel amyloidosis with WMH accumulation and investigate whether systemic vascular risk is associated with WMH beyond these AD-intrinsic processes.Design, Setting, and ParticipantsThis cohort study used data from 3 longitudinal cohort studies conducted in tertiary and community-based medical centers—the Dominantly Inherited Alzheimer Network (DIAN; February 2010 to March 2020), the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI; July 2007 to September 2021), and the Harvard Aging Brain Study (HABS; September 2010 to December 2019).Main Outcome and MeasuresThe main outcomes were the independent associations of neurodegeneration (decreases in gray matter volume), parenchymal amyloidosis (assessed by amyloid positron emission tomography), and vessel amyloidosis (evidenced by cerebral microbleeds [CMBs]) with cross-sectional and longitudinal WMH.ResultsData from 3960 MRI sessions among 1141 participants were included: 252 pathogenic variant carriers from DIAN (mean [SD] age, 38.4 [11.2] years; 137 [54%] female), 571 older adults from ADNI (mean [SD] age, 72.8 [7.3] years; 274 [48%] female), and 318 older adults from HABS (mean [SD] age, 72.4 [7.6] years; 194 [61%] female). Longitudinal increases in WMH volume were greater in individuals with CMBs compared with those without (DIAN: t = 3.2 [P = .001]; ADNI: t = 2.7 [P = .008]), associated with longitudinal decreases in gray matter volume (DIAN: t = −3.1 [P = .002]; ADNI: t = −5.6 [P < .001]; HABS: t = −2.2 [P = .03]), greater in older individuals (DIAN: t = 6.8 [P < .001]; ADNI: t = 9.1 [P < .001]; HABS: t = 5.4 [P < .001]), and not associated with systemic vascular risk (DIAN: t = 0.7 [P = .40]; ADNI: t = 0.6 [P = .50]; HABS: t = 1.8 [P = .06]) in individuals with ADAD and LOAD after accounting for age, gray matter volume, CMB presence, and amyloid burden. In older adults without CMBs at baseline, greater WMH volume was associated with CMB development during longitudinal follow-up (Cox proportional hazards regression model hazard ratio, 2.63; 95% CI, 1.72-4.03; P < .001).Conclusions and RelevanceThe findings suggest that increased WMH volume in AD is associated with neurodegeneration and parenchymal and vessel amyloidosis but not with elevated systemic vascular risk. Additionally, increased WMH volume may represent an early sign of vessel amyloidosis preceding the emergence of CMBs.

AbstractIntroductionOne goal of the Longitudinal Early‐onset Alzheimer's Disease Study (LEADS) is to investigate the genetic etiology of early onset (40–64 years) cognitive impairment. Toward this goal, LEADS participants are screened for known pathogenic variants.MethodsLEADS amyloid‐positive early‐onset Alzheimer's disease (EOAD) or negative early‐onset non‐AD (EOnonAD) cases were whole exome sequenced (N = 299). Pathogenic variant frequency in APP, PSEN1, PSEN2, GRN, MAPT, and C9ORF72 was assessed for EOAD and EOnonAD. Gene burden testing was performed in cases compared to similar‐age cognitively normal controls in the Parkinson's Progression Markers Initiative (PPMI) study.ResultsPreviously reported pathogenic variants in the six genes were identified in 1.35% of EOAD (3/223) and 6.58% of EOnonAD (5/76). No genes showed enrichment for carriers of rare functional variants in LEADS cases.DiscussionResults suggest that LEADS is enriched for novel genetic causative variants, as previously reported variants are not observed in most cases.Highlights Sequencing identified eight cognitively impaired pathogenic variant carriers. Pathogenic variants were identified in PSEN1, GRN, MAPT, and C9ORF72. Rare variants were not enriched in APP, PSEN1/2, GRN, and MAPT. The Longitudinal Early‐onset Alzheimer's Disease Study (LEADS) is a key resource for early‐onset Alzheimer's genetic research

Abstract Disclosure: B. Clarke: Advisory Board Member; Self; Ascendis Pharma, Takeda, Entera-Bio, Extend-Bio, Amolyt. Consulting Fee; Self; Ascendis Pharma, Takeda, Entera-Bio, Extend-Bio, Amolyt. Grant Recipient; Self; Ascendis Pharma, Takeda. Research Investigator; Self; Ascendis Pharma, Takeda. Other; Self; Ascendis Pharma, Takeda, Entera-Bio, Extend-Bio, Amolyt. A.A. Khan: Advisory Board Member; Self; Amgen Inc, Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Ascendis Pharma, Takeda, Ultragenyx. Consulting Fee; Self; Amgen Inc, Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Amolyt, Ascendis Pharma, Ultragenyx. Grant Recipient; Self; Amolyt. Research Investigator; Self; Radius Health, Inc, Takeda, Ultragenyx, Amolyt, Ascendis Pharma, Chugai. Speaker; Self; Amgen Inc. Other; Self; Amgen Inc, Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Ascendis Pharma, Takeda, Ultragenyx. M.R. Rubin: Research Investigator; Self; Chugai Pharma. P.E. Schwarz: Stock Owner; Self; Novo Nordisk, Genmab. T.J. Vokes: Consulting Fee; Self; Takeda, Ascendis Pharma. Research Investigator; Self; Ascendis Pharma, Radius Health, Inc. D.M. Shoback: Research Investigator; Self; Bone Health Tech. C. Gagnon: Advisory Board Member; Self; Novo Nordisk. Grant Recipient; Self; Shire, Takeda, Ascendis Pharma. Research Investigator; Self; Novo Nordisk. Other; Self; Amgen Inc. A. Palermo: Consulting Fee; Self; Theramex, Bruno, Farmaceutici, Amgen Inc. Grant Recipient; Self; Amgen Inc. Research Investigator; Self; Amgen Inc, Shire, Ascendis Pharma. Speaker; Self; UCB, Amgen Inc. L.G. Abbott: Advisory Board Member; Self; Ascendis. Research Investigator; Self; Takeda, Shire, Ascendis Pharma. Speaker; Self; Abbott Laboratories, Clarus. Other; Self; Ascendis. L.C. Hofbauer: Advisory Board Member; Self; Amgen Inc, UCB. Other; Self; Amgen Inc, UCB. L. Kohlmeier: Advisory Board Member; Self; Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Ascendis Pharma. Research Investigator; Self; Ascendis Pharma. Speaker; Self; Amgen Inc, Radius Health, Inc, Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Ascendis Pharma. Other; Self; Amgen Inc, Radius Health, Inc, Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Ascendis Pharma, MediMaps. F. Cetani: None. S. Phil: Employee; Self; Ascendis Pharma. X. An: Employee; Self; Ascendis Pharma. A.R. Smith: Employee; Self; Ascendis Pharma. B. Lai: Employee; Self; Ascendis Pharma. J. Le: Employee; Self; Ascendis Pharma. J. Ukena: Employee; Self; Ascendis Pharma. C. Sibley: Employee; Self; Ascendis Pharma. A. Shu: Employee; Self; Ascendis Pharma. L. Rejnmark: Advisory Board Member; Self; Takeda, Amolyt. Research Investigator; Self; Takeda, Kyowa Kirin International, Ascendis Pharma, Calcilytix Therapeutics. Other; Self; Calcilytix Therapeutics. Objective: Evaluate the long-term efficacy and safety of TransCon PTH as a potential hormone replacement therapy for hypoparathyroidism. Methods: PaTHway is a phase 3 trial of TransCon PTH with a placebo (PBO)-controlled 26-week blinded period and a 156-week open-label extension (OLE) period. Results through Week 52 (26 weeks blinded + 26 weeks OLE) are reported. Three-component efficacy endpoint: normal serum calcium (8.3-10.6 mg/dL) and independence from conventional therapy (≤600 mg/day of elemental calcium and no active vitamin D). Other endpoints: Hypoparathyroidism Patient Experience Scale (HPES); 36-Item Short Form Survey (SF-36); bone mineral density (BMD) by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA); bone turnover markers (BTM) procollagen type 1 N-terminal propeptide (P1NP) and C-terminal telopeptide of type 1 collagen (CTx). Safety was assessed by 24-hour urine calcium and reported treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs). Results: Of the 82 participants given study drug, 79 completed blinded treatment and entered the OLE, and 78 (59 TransCon PTH/TransCon PTH, 19 PBO/TransCon PTH) completed Week 52. Overall at Week 52, 81% (63/78) met the efficacy endpoint, 95% (74/78) achieved independence from conventional therapy, and none required active vitamin D. Mean albumin-adjusted serum calcium was within the normal range at all time points in the OLE (8.9 mg/dL at Week 52). Mean Week 52 HPES scores showed sustained improvement from baseline in disease-related symptoms and the impact of hypoparathyroidism on physical functioning and daily life. Mean Week 52 SF-36 physical functioning scores also remained above baseline. In the TransCon PTH/TransCon PTH group, mean BMD corrected Z-scores trended toward norms from baseline to Weeks 26 and 52:1.5, 0.7, 0.7 at the lumbar spine (L1-L4); 0.8, 0.3, 0.3 at femoral neck; 0.9, 0.5, 0.4 at total hip; and 0.3, 0.3, 0.3 at distal 1/3 radius; P1NP peaked at Week 26 and CTx at Week 12. Smaller incremental changes were seen in BMD and BTM from Weeks 26 to 52 than baseline to Week 26. In the PBO/TransCon PTH group, changes in BMD and BTM from Week 26 to 52 resembled those in the TransCon PTH/TransCon PTH group from baseline to Week 26. Mean 24-hour urine calcium excretion decreased from 376 mg/day at baseline to 195 mg/day at Week 52. Most TEAEs were mild or moderate and none led to discontinuation of the study drug or trial. Conclusions: At Week 52 of the PaTHway trial, TransCon PTH showed a similar sustained efficacy, safety, and tolerability profile to that of Week 26, demonstrating its potential as a hormone replacement therapy for adults with hypoparathyroidism. Indices of skeletal dynamics trended toward age- and sex-matched norms in the TransCon/TransCon PTH group. TransCon PTH treatment in the PBO/TransCon PTH group showed rapid improvement in all outcomes in the first 26 weeks of the OLE consistent with the pattern in the TransCon PTH group during the blinded period. Presentation: Saturday, June 17, 2023