Apolipoprotein E polymorphism in Alzheimer's disease: a comparative study of two research populations from Spain and the United States.
We examined the distribution of the apolipoprotein E (APOE) polymorphism in two Caucasian populations of Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients referred to dementia clinics; one in Gerona, Spain (66 AD patients, 49 controls), and the other in Pittsburgh, Pa., USA (209 AD patients, 58 controls). The presence of the APOE*4 allele was a significant risk for developing AD in both cohorts: Gerona (odds ratio = 2.34, CI: 1.03-5.55) and Pittsburgh (odds ratio = 3.64, CI: 1.78-7.69). The proportion of AD with the APOE*4 allele was greater in the Pittsburgh cohort than in the Gerona cohort (p = 0.02). However, no statistical difference was noted between the two populations in nondemented controls (p = 0.41). These data emphasize the importance of geographical and ethnic variations in the study of APOE genotypes.
Lopez
O L
OL
Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, Department of Neurology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, PA, USA.
Lopez-Pousa
S
S
Kamboh
M I
MI
Adroer
R
R
Oliva
R
R
Lozano-Gallego
M
M
Becker
J T
JT
DeKosky
S T
ST
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000483:Alleles; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000235:genetics*; D001057:Apolipoproteins E / Q000235:genetics*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003710:Demography; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D012107:Research Design; D012307:Risk Factors; D013030:Spain; D014481:United States; D044465:White People / Q000235:genetics*
D001057:Apolipoproteins E