Molecular genetics of late-onset Alzheimer's disease

Ann Hum Genet. 2004 Jul;68(Pt 4):381-404. doi: 10.1046/j.1529-8817.2004.00110.x.

Abstract

Late-onset Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a complex and multifactorial disease with the possible involvement of several genes. Apolipoprotein E (APOE), especially the APOE*4 allele, has been established as a strong susceptibility marker that accounts for nearly 30% of the risk in late-onset AD. However, as the APOE*4 allele is neither necessary nor sufficient for the development of AD, it emphasizes the involvement of other genetic and/or environmental factors which, alone or in conjunction with APOE*4, can modify the risk of AD. Recently, genome-wide linkage or linkage disequilibrium studies on late-onset AD have provided informative data for the existence of multiple putative genes for AD on several chromosomes, with the strongest evidence on chromosomes 12, 10, 9 and 6. This paper attempts to review the current progress on the identification of additional genetic loci for late-onset AD.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Alzheimer Disease / genetics*
  • Alzheimer Disease / metabolism
  • Apolipoproteins E / genetics
  • Biomarkers
  • Genetic Linkage
  • Humans
  • Molecular Biology

Substances

  • Apolipoproteins E
  • Biomarkers