The angiotensin I converting enzyme gene as a susceptibility factor for dementia

The frequency of a genetic susceptibility vascular factor, the deletion (D) allele of the angiotensin I converting enzyme gene (ACE), coding for a key enzyme of the renin angiotensin system, was characterized in two independe nt case-control studies. The results of the current study suggest that bear ing at least one ACE D allele is a risk factor to develop dementia for subj ects older than 74 years. This observation reinforces the hypothesis of a m ajor implication of vascular risk factors in the occurrence of all types of dementia.