Dementia and Geriatric Cognitive Disorders
Original Research Article
Combined Effect of Apolipoprotein E Genotype and Past Fertility on Age at Onset of Alzheimer’s Disease in WomenCorbo R.M.d, e · Gambina G.a · Ulizzi L.e · Monini P.b · Broggio E.a · Rosano A.c · Scacchi R.daAlzheimer’s Disease and Other Dementias Center, Division of Neurology, Hospital of Verona, Verona, bGeriatric Division, S. Eugenio Hospital, cItalian Institute of Social Medicine, dCNR Institute of Molecular Biology and Pathology, and eDepartment of Genetics and Molecular Biology, University La Sapienza, Rome, Italy
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Article / Publication Details
Received: September 25, 2006
Accepted: February 04, 2007
Published online: June 12, 2007
Issue release date: July 2007
Number of Print Pages: 4
Number of Figures: 1
Number of Tables: 2
ISSN: 1420-8008 (Print)
eISSN: 1421-9824 (Online)
For additional information: https://www.karger.com/DEM
Abstract
Background: Various risk factors influence the development of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Apolipoprotein E (APOE) e*4 allele has a major role in AD susceptibility and its presence reduces age at AD onset. APOE is also thought to influence human reproduction, and common APOE genotypes seem to be associated with differential fertility. With this study, we investigated possible relationships between APOE genotype, past fertility, and AD onset age. Methods:APOE genotypes were determined in a sample of 176 women with sporadic AD. The number of children each woman had delivered was recorded. Results: A comparison of APOE genotype distribution in parous and nulliparous AD women confirmed that the e*3/e*3 genotype is associated with higher fertility and the e*4-carrying genotypes with lower fertility. When the combined effects of fertility and APOE genotypes on AD onset age were analyzed, parity was found to be associated with a significantly lower AD onset age (73.8 ± 6.2 years) than nulliparity (80.7 ± 5.0 years; p = 0.0007) among subjects carrying e*3/e*3 and e*3/e*2 genotypes. A similar effect was absent among e*4 carriers. Considering the high frequency of e*3/e*3 plus e*3/e*2 genotypes in Europe (range: 63–87%), past fertility may influence AD onset age in many women. Conclusion: Past fertility may have a relevant effect on AD onset age and this effect is influenced by APOE genotype.
© 2007 S. Karger AG, Basel
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Article / Publication Details
Received: September 25, 2006
Accepted: February 04, 2007
Published online: June 12, 2007
Issue release date: July 2007
Number of Print Pages: 4
Number of Figures: 1
Number of Tables: 2
ISSN: 1420-8008 (Print)
eISSN: 1421-9824 (Online)
For additional information: https://www.karger.com/DEM
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