Molecular genetics of Alzheimer's disease: the role of beta-amyloid and the presenilins.
Alzheimer's disease is the most common neurodegenerative disorder of aging, accounting for an estimated two-thirds of all cases of senile dementia. Epidemiologic studies have failed to resolve any single cause of Alzheimer's disease and suggest a complex etiology, with environmental and genetic factors influencing the pathogenesis. Although the majority of cases are sporadic, a small number display familial clustering. Genetic analyses of these pedigrees have identified four genes that are involved in the development of Alzheimer's disease.
Tandon
A
A
Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Rogaeva
E
E
Mullan
M
M
St George-Hyslop
P H
PH
D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000235:genetics*; D016229:Amyloid beta-Peptides / Q000235:genetics*; D001057:Apolipoproteins E / Q000235:genetics; D008040:Genetic Linkage; D006801:Humans; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D008967:Molecular Biology; D053764:Presenilin-1; D053766:Presenilin-2
D016229:Amyloid beta-Peptides; D001057:Apolipoproteins E; D008565:Membrane Proteins; C508853:PSEN1 protein, human; C508861:PSEN2 protein, human; D053764:Presenilin-1; D053766:Presenilin-2