Genetics of Alzheimer's disease

Abstract

Alzheimer's disease is the leading cause of dementia in the elderly. Most patients do not have an obvious family history and are classified as sporadic. Genetic factors in early and late-onset Alzheimer's disease are now well documented. This paper reviews the known genetic loci associated with Alzheimer's disease with an emphasis on the role of apolipoprotein E in late-onset familial and sporadic disease. Apolipoprotein E allele 4 is a susceptibility gene that is found in approximately 50% of patients with Alzheimer's disease. Hypotheses about apolipoprotein E function that may lead to Alzheimer's disease are also discussed.