Genetics of Alzheimer's disease

Biomed Res Int. 2013:2013:254954. doi: 10.1155/2013/254954. Epub 2013 Jul 25.

Abstract

Alzheimer's disease is the most common form of dementia and is the only top 10 cause of death in the United States that lacks disease-altering treatments. It is a complex disorder with environmental and genetic components. There are two major types of Alzheimer's disease, early onset and the more common late onset. The genetics of early-onset Alzheimer's disease are largely understood with variants in three different genes leading to disease. In contrast, while several common alleles associated with late-onset Alzheimer's disease, including APOE, have been identified using association studies, the genetics of late-onset Alzheimer's disease are not fully understood. Here we review the known genetics of early- and late-onset Alzheimer's disease.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Age of Onset
  • Alzheimer Disease / genetics*
  • Animals
  • Endophenotypes
  • Genetic Predisposition to Disease*
  • Humans