Gene-environment interaction in Alzheimer's disease: a potential role for cholesterol.
Alzheimer's disease is probably a complex disease caused by an interaction of multiple environmental and genetic factors. Genetic defects include 'causative' genes which are rare and a 'susceptibility' gene (sigma4 allele of apolipoprotein E) which is more common in cases. Recent research suggests that environmental factors may interact with a genetic predisposition to modify the risk of Alzheimer's disease. An interaction between serum cholesterol levels and sigma4 genotype is proposed. The evidence for this gene-environment interaction is discussed.
Centre for Ageing Research, India, New Delhi, India. VIJAY@CARI.ERNET.IN
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D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000483:Alleles; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000097:blood* / Q000235:genetics*; D001057:Apolipoproteins E / Q000235:genetics; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood*; D004777:Environment; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017354:Point Mutation / Q000235:genetics
D001057:Apolipoproteins E; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL