title: Lipoprotein(a), apolipoprotein E genotype, and risk of Alzheimer's disease.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To explore the possible role of serum lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)), apolipoprotein E polymorphism, and total cholesterol (TC) serum concentrations in Alzheimer's disease (AD).
  
  
  METHODS
  Lp(a) serum concentrations, apolipoprotein E genotypes, and TC serum concentrations were determined in 61 patients with a diagnosis of probable AD and in 63 healthy unrelated age matched controls. Genomic DNA was obtained and amplified by polymerase chain reaction and apolipoprotein E genotypes were defined following a previously described procedure.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Lp(a) serum concentrations were significantly associated in a non-linear relation with an increased risk for AD, independently of apolipoprotein E genotypes and sex and dependent on age (truth association) and TC serum concentrations (spurious association). The effect of age adjusted for TC on the odds of having AD increased non-linearly with increasing Lp(a) serum concentrations, with a plateau between 70 and 355 mg/l (odds ratio 11.33). For Lp(a) serum concentrations > or = 360 mg/l, the effect of age (> or = 72 years) was associated with a reduction in odds of having AD (odds ratio 0.15).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It is suggested that increased Lp(a) serum concentrations, by increasing the risk for cerebrovascular disease, may have a role in determining clinical AD.
authors.affiliation: Department of Geriatrics, Centre for Aging Brain, Memory Unit, University of Bari, Policlinico, Piazza Giulio Cesare 11, 70124 Bari, Italy.
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Solfrizzi
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Panza
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: D'Introno
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Colacicco
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Capurso
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Basile
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Capurso
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000209:etiology / Q000235:genetics*; D001057:Apolipoproteins E / Q000235:genetics*; D002561:Cerebrovascular Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000235:genetics; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D004247:DNA / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006801:Humans; D017270:Lipoprotein(a) / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors
chemical_list: D001057:Apolipoproteins E; D017270:Lipoprotein(a); D004247:DNA; D002784:Cholesterol