Candidate Single-Nucleotide Polymorphisms From a Genomewide Association Study of Alzheimer Disease

Abstract

Alzheimer disease (AD), the most prevalent form of dementia, is a neurodegenerative disorder that affects more than 5% of individuals aged 65 years and older.¹ The discovery of the association between the apolipoprotein E (APOE [Entrez GeneID NM_000041) ε4 allele and AD confirmed the prominent role of specific genetic polymorphisms as risk factors for late-onset AD.^2,3 Besides APOE, a meta-analysis of AD genetic association studies as of February 1, 2007, reported 29 potential AD susceptibility genes (http://www.alzgene.org).⁴ Additional independent data are needed to further test these associations and to provide evidence for genes and gene interactions (especially with APOE) that contribute to the development and progression of AD.