Effects of Causative and Susceptiblility Genes on the Development of Alzheimer's Disease: A Meta-Analytic Approach

Abstract

Missense mutations of the amyloid precursor protein (APP), presenilin-1 (PSEN1), and presenilin-2 (PSEN2) genes all cause autosomal dominate familial early-onset Alzheimer's disease (FAD). Apolipoprotein E, particularly the epsilon 4 allele (ApoE ε4), is also a known genetic risk factor for developing late-onset AD (LOAD). The presence of any of these mutations or ApoE ε4 impacts cognitive performance in nondemented individuals. Evidence of the presence and magnitude of these cognitive deficits will be examined with meta-analyses of the available literature.