Risk of dementia in relatives of patients with Alzheimer's disease.
Using a family history questionnaire, we investigated the occurrence of dementia among relatives of patients with a clinical diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and among the relatives of age-matched control subjects. Cumulative lifetime risk of developing AD-type dementia was greater among relatives of AD probands and was consistent with an autosomal dominant genetic mode of transmission. Although the lifetime risk of AD-type dementia was similar among relatives of early-onset and late-onset AD probands, relatives of early-onset probands tended to have an earlier onset of dementia than did relatives of late-onset AD probands. This result raises the possibility that age at onset of dementia in AD may be genetically determined.
Huff
F J
FJ
Department of Neurology, Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, PA.
Auerbach
J
J
Chakravarti
A
A
Boller
F
F
D000206:Actuarial Analysis; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000235:genetics* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires