The short variant of the polymorphism within the promoter region of the serotonin transporter gene is a risk factor for late onset Alzheimer's disease.
We analyzed a deletion/insertion polymorphism within the promoter region of the serotonin transporter gene (5-HTTPLR) in 81 patients with late onset Alzheimer's (AD) disease (mean age 70.02 +/- 8.13 years). Control groups included 81 normal subjects with comparable age (mean age 75.6 +/- 10.2) and 82 younger normal subjects (mean age 37.4 +/- 9.1). Statistical analysis showed a significant difference in the genotype and gene frequencies between the AD group and normal controls (chi 2 = 9.021; 2 d.f. and chi 2 = 5.59, 1 d.f., respectively, P < 0.05) due to the higher frequency of the L allele and the lower frequency of the s allele in controls than among AD patients. However, no differences were found in the genotype frequencies in older as compared to younger normal control groups (chi 2 = 0.337, 2 d.f. and P > 0.05). The present study confirms, in a different population, that the short variant of the 5-HTTPLR polymorphism may be a risk factor for late onset AD.
Laboratory of Immunopathology Keizo Asami, Federal University of Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil.
J R
JR
Oliveira
R M
RM
Gallindo
L G
LG
Maia
P R
PR
Brito-Marques
P A
PA
Otto
M R
MR
Passos-Bueno
M A
MA
Morais
M
M
Zatz
D000328:Adult; D017668:Age of Onset; D000368:Aged; D000483:Alleles; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics*; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D005787:Gene Frequency; D014644:Genetic Variation; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000235:genetics*; D026901:Membrane Transport Proteins; D008875:Middle Aged; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic; D012016:Reference Values; D012307:Risk Factors; D050486:Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins
D002352:Carrier Proteins; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D026901:Membrane Transport Proteins; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; C493230:SLC6A4 protein, human; D050486:Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins