title: The genetics of Alzheimer disease: current status and future prospects.
abstract: Four genes involved in the development of Alzheimer disease have been identified. Three fully penetrant (deterministic) genes lead to the development of Alzheimer disease in patients younger than 60 years: the amyloid beta-protein precursor on chromosome 21, presenilin 1 on chromosome 14, and presenilin 2 on chromosome 1. Together, they account for about half of this early-onset form of the disease. One genetic risk factor--apolipoprotein E-4--is associated with late-onset Alzheimer disease. It accounts for a substantial fraction of disease burden but seems to act primarily to lower the age of disease onset. In general, none of these genes can be easily adapted for use as a diagnostic or predictive test for Alzheimer disease. Research activity includes searching for additional genes, especially for late-onset disease, and elucidating the mechanism of action of all identified genes as part of a long-term effort to develop more effective therapeutic and preventive strategies.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Blacker
authors.forename: R E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Tanzi
mesh_terms: D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000235:genetics*; D016229:Amyloid beta-Peptides / Q000235:genetics*; D053327:Apolipoprotein E4; D001057:Apolipoproteins E / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D053764:Presenilin-1; D053766:Presenilin-2
chemical_list: D016229:Amyloid beta-Peptides; D053327:Apolipoprotein E4; D001057:Apolipoproteins E; D008565:Membrane Proteins; C508853:PSEN1 protein, human; C508861:PSEN2 protein, human; D053764:Presenilin-1; D053766:Presenilin-2