The CYP2D6B mutant allele is overrepresented in the Lewy body variant of Alzheimer's disease

Abstract
Approximately one‐fourth of neuropathologically confirmed cases of Alzheimer's disease (AD) also have brainstem and neocortical Lewy bodies, constituting a Lewy body variant of AD. Because Lewy bodies are a pathologic hallmark of Parkinson's disease (PD), this subpopulation of AD subjects may have the same risk factors as PD subjects. Analyses of the cytochrome P450 CYP2D6‐debrisoquine 4‐hydroxylase mutant B allele, a susceptibility gene for PD, revealed a higher representation of this allele in the Lewy body variant of AD than in pure AD or non‐AD without Lewy bodies.