Apolipoprotein E and alzheimer’s disease: Strength of association is related to age at onset

D. L. Murman, N. L. Foster, S. P. Kilgore, C. A. McDonagh, J. K. Fink

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

25 Scopus citations

Abstract

Apolipoprotein E (apoE) ε4 allele frequency among Alzheimer''s disease (AD) patients is increased compared to control subjects and is influenced by the presence of other genetic factors and age at symptom onset. We examined the relationship between age at AD symptom onset and apoE by comparing the apoE ε4 allele frequency of normal, elderly control subjects (n = 107) to that in AD patients (n = 123), divided into four age-at-onset periods. Additionally, the distribution of symptom onset ages of AD patients with and without apoE ε4 alleles was determined. We observed increased apoE ε4 allele frequencies between the AD onset ages of 55 and 75 years, but not at the extremes of onset ages (i.e. onset between 45 and 54 years of age and after age 75). Our data suggests that having an apoE ε4 allele increases the likelihood that AD patients will develop symptoms in the middle range of onset ages. At the extremes of AD onset ages, non-apoE factors, including other genetic factors and age, are more important determinants of risk of developing AD.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)251-255
Number of pages5
JournalDementia and Geriatric Cognitive Disorders
Volume7
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 1 1996
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Age
  • Alzheimer’s disease
  • Apolipoprotein E

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Geriatrics and Gerontology
  • Cognitive Neuroscience
  • Psychiatry and Mental health

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