Mitochondrial aldehyde dehydrogenase polymorphism is not associated with incidence of Alzheimer's disease.
BACKGROUND
The association between the mutant allele of mitochondrial aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH2*2) and Alzheimer's disease (AD) has been controversial and only so far investigated in cross-sectional studies. This study aimed to investigate the longitudinal association between ALDH2*2 and incidence of AD.


METHODS
Of 592 participants aged 65 or over without dementia at baseline, 510 (86%) were re-evaluated after 2.4 years and comprised the study sample. Baseline measures included: demographic characteristics, drinking behavior, cognitive function (MMSE), clinical diagnoses of dementia and AD, and genotype (ALDH2 and apolipoprotein E). At the follow up examination, alcohol related characteristics, MMSE and clinical diagnoses of dementia and AD were reassessed.


RESULTS
There were no significant associations between the ALDH2*2 and any cognitive outcomes (incidence of dementia or AD, or cognitive decline). These findings were not changed after adjustment for alcohol consumption. No interaction was found between ALDH2 and apolipoprotein E.


CONCLUSIONS
ALDH2*2 does not seem to be important in the etiology of dementia.
Shin
Ii-Seon
IS
Department of Psychiatry, Chonnam National University Medical School, Kwangju, Republic of Korea.
Stewart
Robert
R
Kim
Jae-Min
JM
Kim
Sung-Wan
SW
Yang
Su-Jin
SJ
Shin
Hee-Young
HY
Jung
Jae-Sung
JS
Yoon
Jin-Sang
JS
D000368:Aged; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000523:psychology; D000444:Aldehyde Dehydrogenase / Q000235:genetics*; D000071396:Aldehyde Dehydrogenase, Mitochondrial; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000209:etiology / Q000235:genetics* / Q000523:psychology; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001057:Apolipoproteins E / Q000235:genetics; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000235:genetics; D003704:Dementia / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
D001057:Apolipoproteins E; C096127:ALDH2 protein, human; D000444:Aldehyde Dehydrogenase; D000071396:Aldehyde Dehydrogenase, Mitochondrial