The deletion polymorphism and Val1000lle in alpha-2-macroglobulin and Alzheimer disease in Caribbean Hispanics

The association between polymorphisms in the alpha-2-macroglobulin (alpha 2 m) gene and Alzheimer's disease remains in doubt because of conflicting res ults in independent case-control and family studies. We examined the associ ation between Alzheimer's disease and alpha 2m polymorphisms in Caribbean H ispanic families. The odds of having the alpha 2m deletion/insertion polymo rphism was increased 3-fold for family members with Alzheimer's disease com pared to healthy family members, rising to 5-fold after adjusting for APOE- epsilon 4. In contrast, there was no relationship between the alpha 2m Val1 000lle polymorphism and Alzheimer's disease in these families. The inconsis tencies in studies cited above and the modest association between alpha 2m and Alzheimer's disease found in the Caribbean Hispanic families reported h ere, suggest that the overall effect of this gene on susceptibility is smal l and may be limited to certain populations or families. (C) 2000 Published by Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.