Lipoprotein(a), apolipoprotein E genotype, and risk of Alzheimer's disease.
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.
Solfrizzi
V
V
Department of Geriatrics, Centre for Aging Brain, Memory Unit, University of Bari, Policlinico, Piazza Giulio Cesare 11, 70124 Bari, Italy.
Panza
F
F
D'Introno
A
A
Colacicco
A M
AM
Capurso
C
C
Basile
A M
AM
Capurso
A
A
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
D001057:Apolipoproteins E; D017270:Lipoprotein(a); D004247:DNA; D002784:Cholesterol