APOLIPOPROTEIN-E-EPSILON-4 ALLELE DISTRIBUTIONS IN LATE-ONSET ALZHEIMERS-DISEASE AND IN OTHER AMYLOID-FORMING DISEASES

The frequency of the allele for apolipoprotein E type 4 (epsilon4) is increased in late-onset familial and sporadic Alzheimer's disease (AD). We have examined epsilon4 frequencies in. four distinct, normal, elderly control groups and, most importantly, in patients with amyloid-forming diseases whose epsilon4 distributions were not previously known (Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy, Down's syndrome). There were no differences between any of these controls and published control series, cementing the relevance of epsilon4 for late-onset AD. The increase in late-onset AD was confirmed in two new series.