Is ApoE ɛ 4 a good biomarker for amyloid pathology in late onset Alzheimer's disease?
Title | Is ApoE ɛ 4 a good biomarker for amyloid pathology in late onset Alzheimer's disease? |
Publication Type | Journal Article |
Year of Publication | 2016 |
Authors | Ba M, Kong M, Li X, Ng KPin, Rosa-Neto P, Gauthier S |
Journal | Transl Neurodegener |
Volume | 5 |
Pagination | 20 |
Date Published | 2016 |
ISSN | 2047-9158 |
Abstract | Amyloid plaques are pathological hallmarks of Alzheimer's Disease (AD) and biomarkers such as cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) β-amyloid 1-42 (Aβ1-42) and amyloid positron emission tomographic (PET) imaging are important in diagnosing amyloid pathology in vivo. ɛ4 allele of the Apolipoprotein E gene (ApoE ɛ 4), which is a major genetic risk factor for late onset AD, is an important genetic biomarker for AD pathophysiology. It has been shown that ApoE ɛ 4 is involved in Aβ deposition and formation of amyloid plaques. Studies have suggested the utility of peripheral blood ApoE ɛ 4 in AD diagnosis and risk assessment. However it is still a matter of debate whether ApoE ɛ 4 status would improve prediction of amyloid pathology and represent a cost-effective alternative to amyloid PET or CSF Aβ in resource-limited settings in late onset AD. Recent research suggest that the mean prevalence of PET amyloid-positivity is 95% in ApoE ɛ 4-positive AD patients. This short review aims to provide an updated information on the relationship between ApoE ɛ 4 and amyloid biomarkers. |
DOI | 10.1186/s40035-016-0067-z |
Alternate Journal | Transl Neurodegener |
PubMed ID | 27891223 |
PubMed Central ID | PMC5112745 |