Genetic polymorphism in the persyn (gamma-synuclein) gene and the risk of Alzheimer's disease

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a complex disease with the possible involvement of several genes. Genetic studies on sporadic late-onset AD have determine d APOE*4 to be the major risk factor. Members of the synuclein gene family are potential candidates for the risk of AD. The persyn gene (gamma-synucle in) has recently been characterized and a common polymorphism (Glu110Val) h as been identified. in this study we investigated the association of this p olymorphism with sporadic late-onset AD patients. We screened DNA samples o f 313 late-onset cases and 352 controls. No significant association was obs erved between the missense mutation and AD. When the data were stratified b y APOE*4 carriers and non-APOE*4 carriers, no difference was seen for the G lu110Val polymorphism, There was also no difference in genotype or allele f requency when stratified by the ACT*A allele. Although our data show no eff ect of this persyn polymorphism in AD, characterization of additional polym orphisms in this gene may provide more conclusive answers. (C) 1999 Elsevie r Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.