Year: 2012
Type: preprint
Abstract: Family history is the second strongest risk factor for Alzheimer disease (AD) following advanced age.Twin and family studies indicate that genetic factors are estimated to play a role in at least 80% of AD cases.The inheritance of AD exhibits a dichotomous pattern.On one hand, rare mutations in APP, PSEN1, and PSEN2 virtually guarantee early-onset (,60 years) familial AD, which represents 5% of AD.On the other hand, common gene polymorphisms, such as the 14 and 12 variants of the APOE gene, can influence susceptibility for 50% of the common late-onset AD.These four genes account for 30% -50% of the inheritability of AD.Genome-wide association studies have recently led to the identification of 11 additional AD candidate genes.This paper reviews the past, present, and future attempts to elucidate the complex and heterogeneous genetic underpinnings of AD.
Author: R. E. Tanzi
Institutions: Harvard University, Massachusetts General Hospital
Language: English
Subfield: Physiology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
OpenAlex ID: W4233829850