IL2RB and TUBA1B are Potential Targets of Music Therapy for Alzheimer’s Disease and Cognitive Impairment

Objective: This study examined the complex interactions among differential gene expression, immune responses, therapy-associated genes in Alzheimer’s disease (AD), and cognitive impairment, with a distinct focus on the integration of music therapy. Our objective was to delineate the landscape of differentially expressed genes (DEGs), particularly the interconnections between gene expression changes and therapeutic interventions, including exercise and music therapy, to discover immune-associated therapeutic targets. Methods: Through evaluation of the gene expression datasets GSE140831 and GSE48624, we identified DEGs and investigated their interactions with genes whose expression is induced by exercise and music therapy. Through protein-protein interaction analysis, gene set variation analysis, immune infiltration studies, and correlation analyses, we revealed the regulatory interactions and pathway enrichments. An mRNA-miRNA interaction network was constructed to elucidate regulatory mechanisms, and a drug-target interaction analysis was performed to discover potential therapeutic avenues. Results: Our study revealed the complex organization of DEGs. In addition to identifying IL2RB and TUBA1B, we propose these genes as critical modulators in the context of exercise, music therapy, and AD. Our results indicated a substantial upregulation of pathways, such as glycolysis and TGF-beta signaling, in response to exercise, music therapy, and AD. These pathways revealed significant changes in gene expression compared to baseline conditions, highlighting their involvement in immune response modulation. The network of mRNA-miRNA interactions revealed key regulators of immune response and cognition. Our examination of drug and target interactions provided insights into potential mechanisms of action for disease modulation. Conclusions: This research provided a comprehensive overview of DEGs in AD and cognitive impairment, and uniquely incorporated evaluation of music therapy. Our findings underscore the importance of IL2RB and TUBA1B as potential therapeutic targets; provide initial insights into the mechanisms of immune response; and suggest new pathways for targeted treatment development.