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

• Published in: The Lancet (British edition) Vol. 342; no. 8873; pp. 710 - 711
• Main Authors: Saunders, A.M, Roses, A.D, Pericak-Vance, M.A, Dole, K.C, Strittmatter, W.J, Schmechel, D.E, Szymanski, M.H, McCown, N, Manwaring, M.G, Schmader, K, Breitner, J.C.S, Goldgaber, D, Benson, M.D, Goldfarb, L, Brown, W.T
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Elsevier Limited 01.09.1993
• Subjects: Alzheimer's disease; Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease; Downs syndrome; Lipids; Neurological disorders; Proteins
• ISSN: 0140-6736; 1474-547X
• DOI: 10.1016/0140-6736(93)91709-U

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.