Abstract
The age distribution of the epsilon 4 allelic form of the apolipoprotein E gene ( APOE) was investigated in 630 patients with Alzheimer's disease ( AD) with onset age ranging from 35 to 90 years. Overall, mean age at onset in APOE epsilon 4 allele bearers was significantly later than that in nonbearers. However, when stratified into early onset AD (EOAD) and late onset ( LOAD) groups, mean age at onset in EOAD cases bearing APOE epsilon 4 allele was later than that in those EOAD cases without epsilon 4 allele, whereas in LOAD mean age at onset in cases bearing APOE epsilon 4 allele was earlier than in those without epsilon 4 allele. When analysed by decade, it was observed that 37% of the total number of APOE epsilon 4 allele bearers, and 43% of total number of cases with APOE epsilon 4/epsilon 4 genotype fell into the 60 - 69 years age class. Hence, APOE epsilon 4 allele frequency, at 0.44, was highest in the 60 - 69 years age class, progressively decreasing either side of this age group. APOE epsilon 4 allele therefore has its maximum impact between onset ages of between 60 and 70 years. Copyright (C) 2007 S. Karger AG, Basel.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 60-66 |
Number of pages | 7 |
Journal | Dementia and Geriatric Cognitive Disorders |
Volume | 23 |
Issue number | 1 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 1 Jan 2007 |
Keywords
- apolipoprotein E gene
- Alzheimer's disease
- epsilon 4 allele