Apolipoprotein E4 allele in a population-based study of early-onset Alzheimer's disease.
Several studies have reported an association of the apolipoprotein E allele epsilon 4 (APOE*4) to familial and sporadic late-onset Alzheimer's disease (LOAD). Here we report on the relationship between APOE*4 and early-onset Alzheimer's disease (EOAD) in a Dutch population-based study. The frequency of the APOE*4 allele was 2.3 times higher among EOAD cases compared to controls. Among patients, the allele frequency was 1.6 times higher in those with a positive family history than in those without. A significant increase in risk of EOAD was found for subjects homozygous for APOE*4 regardless of family history of dementia, but an increase in EOAD risk for APOE*4 heterozygotes could only be shown in subjects with a positive family history. Our study demonstrates a significant association between APOE*4 and EOAD which is modified by family history of dementia.
van Duijn
C M
CM
Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, Erasmus University, Medical School, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
de Knijff
P
P
Cruts
M
M
Wehnert
A
A
Havekes
L M
LM
Hofman
A
A
Van Broeckhoven
C
C
D000328:Adult; D017668:Age of Onset; D000368:Aged; D000483:Alleles; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics*; D053327:Apolipoprotein E4; D001057:Apolipoproteins E / Q000235:genetics*; D005192:Family Health; D005260:Female; D005787:Gene Frequency; D005799:Genes, Dominant; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009426:Netherlands / Q000453:epidemiology; D016017:Odds Ratio; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012307:Risk Factors
D053327:Apolipoprotein E4; D001057:Apolipoproteins E