The genetics of dementia in late life.
Recent advances in the genetics of AD and other late-life dementias have provided new insights but also have raised new queries and ethical issues. This review reflects the current state of knowledge in a rapidly evolving field. The complex relation of genes and environment to AD, VaD, and other late-life dementias suggests that the answers to these many issues will evolve through time. New issues undoubtedly will arise as additional genes are discovered and new data accrue that relate APOE and other genes to the mechanism and expression of dementing illness. The clinical relevance and applicability of such research findings will increase when effective treatments become available. Given this potential, we encourage readers to monitor new developments as they arise.
Plassman
B L
BL
Department of Psychiatry, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, USA.
Breitner
J C
JC
D000368:Aged; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics*; D016564:Amyloid beta-Protein Precursor / Q000235:genetics; D053327:Apolipoprotein E4; D001057:Apolipoproteins E / Q000235:genetics; D004252:DNA Mutational Analysis; D003704:Dementia / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010641:Phenotype; D012307:Risk Factors; D018433:Twin Studies as Topic
D016564:Amyloid beta-Protein Precursor; D053327:Apolipoprotein E4; D001057:Apolipoproteins E