The cyclooxygenase 2-765 C promoter allele is a protective factor for Alzheimer's disease

The cyclooxygenase-2 enzyme (COX-2) is of particular importance in the inflammatory response and recent findings have demonstrated a considerable role in Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathogenesis. In order to assess the possible putative role of a COX-2 polymorphism (765 G/C) in AD, we examined its distribution in 161 community-based controls and 168 AD clinic-based cases previously recruited from memory disorder clinics in Tampa and Miami, Florida. There were no significant differences between the two groups in age/age of onset or gender. A significant difference was observed in the distribution of the COX-2-765 alleles between AD cases and controls (X-2 = 6.565, p =.010; OR =.596; Cl = [.401-.888], p =.011), with the frequency of the C allele being higher in controls. In addition, a significant difference was observed for this polymorphism by genotype (X-2 = 6.56 1, p =.038) and by presence or absence of C+ genotypes (X-2 = 6.207, p =.013; OR =.464, CI = [.351-885], p =.013). In this sample, the C allele of COX-2-765 promoter polymorphism is associated with decreased risk of Alzheimer's disease, a finding which further supports the involvement of COX-2 in AD etiology. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.