Association of apolipoprotein E allele ϵ4 with late-onset familial and sporadic alzheimer’s disease

A. M. Saunders, W. J. Strittmatter, D. Schmechel, P. H. St. George-Hyslop, M. A. Pericak-Vance, S. H. Joo, B. L. Rosi, J. F. Gusella, D. R. Crapper-Mac Lachlan, M. J. Alberts, C. Hulette, B. Crain, D. Goldgaber, Allen D. Roses

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

3135 Scopus citations

Abstract

Apolipoprotein E, type ϵ4 allele (APOE ϵ4), is associated with late-onset familial Alzheimer’s disease (AD). There is high avidity and specific binding of amyloid β-peptide with the protein ApoE. To test the hypothesis that late-onset familial AD may represent the clustering of sporadic AD in families large enough to be studied, we extended the analyses of APOE alleles to several series of sporadic AD patients. APOE ϵ4 is significantly associated with a series of probable sporadic AD patients (0.36 ± 0.042, AD, versus 0.16 ± 0.027, controls [allele frequency estimate ± standard error], p = 0.00031). Spouse controls did not differ from CEPH grandparent controls from the Centre d’Etude du Polymorphisme Humain (CEPH) or from literature controls. A large combined series of autopsy-documented sporadic AD patients also demonstrated highly significant association with the APOE ϵ4 allele (0.40 ± 0.026, p ≤ 0.00001). These data support the involvement of ApoE ϵ4 in the pathogenesis of late-onset familial and sporadic AD. ApoE isoforms may play an important role in the metabolism of β-peptide, and APOE ϵ4 may operate as a susceptibility gene (risk factor) for the clinical expression of AD.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1467-1472
Number of pages6
JournalNeurology
Volume43
Issue number8
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 1993
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Clinical Neurology

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Association of apolipoprotein E allele ϵ4 with late-onset familial and sporadic alzheimer’s disease'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this