Understanding How Diseases Relate
The human body functions as a complex and interconnected system. Changes caused by one disease can increase the risk of others. This phenomenon, known as co-occurrence, is seen in conditions like Crohn’s disease and the development of ulcers. Though, the underlying molecular reasons for these connections remained unclear.
Researchers at the Barcelona Supercomputing Centre-national Supercomputing Center (BSC-CNS) have analyzed molecular data from over 4,000 patients with 45 different diseases, using a new computational method.
64% of the connections between diseases are linked to similarities in gene expression
This research is the most comprehensive effort to date to explain the clinical associations between diseases. The results demonstrate that 64% of known disease connections relate to similarities in gene expression, offering valuable insights into the biological mechanisms that link them.
RNA Sequencing
By analyzing RNA sequencing data – a technology that identifies which genes are active in each patient – researchers have uncovered relationships between complex diseases.
The analysis identified interactions, such as asthma with Parkinson’s, where one condition increases the risk of another.
The analysis revealed positive interactions, like the link between asthma and Parkinson’s disease, where one condition can increase the likelihood of developing another.
It also identified negative interactions, where some patients appear protected against other diseases, such as cancer and neurodegenerative disorders like Huntington’s disease.
“We have known for years that patie
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