title: Genetic aspects of Alzheimer disease.
abstract: Alzheimer disease is the most common cause of dementia and represents a major public health problem. The neuropathologic findings of amyloid-beta plaques and tau containing neurofibrillary tangles represent important molecular clues to the underlying pathogenesis. Genetic factors are well recognized, but complicated. Three rare forms of autosomal-dominant early-onset familial Alzheimer disease have been identified and are associated with mutations in amyloid precursor protein, presenilin 1, and presenilin 2 genes. The more common late-onset form of Alzheimer disease is assumed to be polygenic/multifactorial. However, thus far the only clearly identified genetic risk factor for Alzheimer disease is Apo lipoprotein E. The epsilon4 allele of Apo lipoprotein E influences age at onset of Alzheimer disease, but is neither necessary nor sufficient for the disease. The search continues for the discovery of additional genetic influences.
authors.affiliation: University of Washington, Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center, VA Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, Washington, USA. tomnroz@u.washington.edu
authors.forename: Thomas D
authors.initials: TD
authors.lastname: Bird
mesh_terms: D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005817:Genetic Counseling / Q000379:methods*; D005820:Genetic Testing / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans