Apolipoprotein E epsilon 4 allele distributions in late-onset Alzheimer's disease and in other amyloid-forming diseases

Topic: Amyloid, tau and blood-test diagnosis

The frequency of the allele for apolipoprotein E type 4 (epsilon 4) is increased in late-onset familial and sporadic Alzheimer's disease (AD). We have examined epsilon 4 frequencies in four distinct, normal, elderly control groups and, most importantly, in patients with amyloid-forming diseases whose epsilon 4 distributions were not previously known (Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy, Down's syndrome). There were no differences between any of these controls and published control series, cementing the relevance of epsilon 4 for late-onset AD. The increase in late-onset AD was confirmed in two new series.

@article{saunders1993-8103823,
  author  = {Saunders, A. M. and Schmader, K. and Breitner, J. C. and Benson, M. D. and Brown, W. T. and Goldfarb, L. and Goldgaber, D. and Manwaring, M. G. and others},
  title   = {{Apolipoprotein E epsilon 4 allele distributions in late-onset Alzheimer's disease and in other amyloid-forming diseases}},
  journal = {Lancet (London, England)},
  year    = {1993},
  doi     = {10.1016/0140-6736(93)91709-u},
  pmid    = {8103823},
  url     = {https://doi.org/10.1016/0140-6736(93)91709-u}
}

Key findings

• The frequency of the allele for apolipoprotein E type 4 (epsilon 4) is increased in late-onset familial and sporadic Alzheimer's disease (AD).
• We have examined epsilon 4 frequencies in four distinct, normal, elderly control groups and, most importantly, in patients with amyloid-forming diseases whose epsilon 4 distributions were not previously known (Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy, Down's syndrome).
• There were no differences between any of these controls and published control series, cementing the relevance of epsilon 4 for late-onset AD.
• The increase in late-onset AD was confirmed in two new series.

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Study details

• Evidence strengthLow

Read the original

• DOI: 10.1016/0140-6736(93)91709-u
• PubMed: 8103823
• Original source →

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Also tagged “allele”

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• Early-onset versus late-onset Alzheimer's disease: the case of the missing APOE ɛ4 allele The Lancet. Neurology · 2010-12-22 · usefulness score 40/100 · Genetics
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