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Apolipoprotein E4 allele in a population–based study of early–onset Alzheimer's disease

Nature Genetics volume 7, pages 74–78 (1994)Cite this article

Abstract

Several studies have reported an association of the apolipoprotein E allele ε4 (APOE*4) to familial and sporadic late-onset Alzheimer's disease (LOAD). Here we report on the relationship between APOE*4 and early-onset Alzheimer's disease (EOAD) in a Dutch population-based study. The frequency of the APOE*4 allele was 2.3 times higher among EOAD cases compared to controls. Among patients, the allele frequency was 1.6 times higher in those with a positive family history than in those without. A significant increase in risk of EOAD was found for subjects homozygous for APOE*4 regardless of family history of dementia, but an increase in EOAD risk for APOE*4 heterozygotes could only be shown in subjects with a positive family history. Our study demonstrates a significant association between APOE*4 and EOAD which is modified by family history of dementia.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, Erasmus University Medical School, Rotterdam, 3000 DR, The Netherlands

    Cornelia M. van Duijn & Albert Hofman

  2. TNO, Institute of Ageing and Vascular Research, Gaubius Laboratory, Leiden, 2300 AK, The Netherlands

    Peter de Knijff & Louis M. Havekes

  3. Neurogenetics Laboratory, Born Bunge Foundation, Department of Biochemistry, University of Antwerp, Antwerpen, B2610, Belgium

    Marc Cruts, Anita Wehnert & Christine Van Broeckhoven

  4. Innogenetics, Gent, B-9052, Belgium

    Anita Wehnert

Authors
  1. Cornelia M. van Duijn
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  5. Louis M. Havekes
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  7. Christine Van Broeckhoven
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van Duijn, C., de Knijff, P., Cruts, M. et al. Apolipoprotein E4 allele in a population–based study of early–onset Alzheimer's disease. Nat Genet 7, 74–78 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1038/ng0594-74

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