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Review
. 2018 Aug 15;1693(Pt A):121-126.
doi: 10.1016/j.brainres.2018.02.035. Epub 2018 Mar 1.

The epidemiology and genetics of Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in China

Xiaolu Liu  1 , Ji He  1 , Fen-Biao Gao  2 , Aaron D Gitler  3 , Dongsheng Fan  4
Affiliations
Review

The epidemiology and genetics of Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in China

Xiaolu Liu et al. Brain Res. .

Abstract

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disorder associated with loss of motor neurons. Previous knowledge of the disease has been mainly based on studies from Caucasian ALS patients of European descent. Here we review the epidemiological characteristics of ALS among the Chinese population in order to compare the similarities and differences between Chinese ALS cases and those from other countries. We describe a potential lower incidence and prevalence of ALS, a younger age of onset and a lower proportion of familial ALS cases in the Chinese population. Additionally, we highlight potential genetic differences between Chinese and Caucasian ALS patients. Most notably, the frequency of GGGGCC repeat expansions in C9ORF72 in Chinese ALS is significantly lower than in Caucasians. Since some conclusions might not be consistent across all of the studies around China to date, we suggest that it is necessary to carry out a prospective population-based study and large-scale gene sequencing around to better define epidemiological and genetic features of Chinese ALS patients.

Keywords: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis; C9ORF72; China; Epidemiology; Genetics; SOD1.

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Figures

Fig. 1.
Fig. 1.
Genetic architecture of fALS and sALS in Chinese and Caucasian populations.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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