The genetics of dementia with Lewy bodies: what are we missing?
Dementia with Lewy bodies is a complex brain disorder and a key member of the Lewy body disease spectrum. Its genetic etiology is unclear, and information is scattered. However, the results of molecular genetic studies imply a genetic and mechanistic overlap with Alzheimer disease, Parkinson disease with dementia, and Parkinson disease. In this review, we provide a comprehensive overview of the current studies on dementia with Lewy bodies heritability, genetic etiology, and genetic heterogeneity. We conclude with a critical discussion of the missing heritability in dementia with Lewy bodies and encourage scientists to further explore the underlying mechanisms of this disease.
Neurodegenerative Brain Diseases Group, Department of olecular Genetics, VIB, University of Antwerp (Campus rie Eiken), Universiteitsplein 1, B-2610 Antwerpen, Belgium.
Bram
B
Meeus
Jessie
J
Theuns
Christine
C
Van Broeckhoven
D016564:Amyloid beta-Protein Precursor / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D016631:Lewy Bodies / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D020961:Lewy Body Disease / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D053763:Presenilins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D051844:alpha-Synuclein / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
D016564:Amyloid beta-Protein Precursor; D053763:Presenilins; D051844:alpha-Synuclein