Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase gene and risk of Alzheimer's disease in Koreans

✍ Scribed by Jae-Min Kim; Robert Stewart; Sung-Wan Kim; Su-Jin Yang; Il-Seon Shin; Hee-Young Shin; Jin-Sang Yoon

• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 2008
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 80 KB
• Volume: 23
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0885-6230
• DOI: 10.1002/gps.1903

✦ Synopsis

Abstract

Background

The association between methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) c.677C > T (A222V) polymorphism and Alzheimer's disease (AD) is controversial. The objectives of the study were to investigate the association between MTHFR c.677C > T polymorphism and AD in Korean elders and to the extent to which it is modified by the major components of one‐carbon metabolism and apolipoprotein E (APOE) genotype.

Methods

Seven hundred and thirty‐two community residents aged 65 or over were clinically assessed for AD. Genotyping was performed for MTHFR c.677C > T and APOE; serum levels of folate, vitamin B~12~, and homocysteine were assayed. Age, gender and education were included as covariates.

Results

A trend of association between TT genotype of MTHFR c.677C > T and AD was found [adjusted OR (95% CI): 1.73 (0.80–3.74)]. The association was significant in the presence of below‐median vitamin B~12~ level [3.66 (1.14–11.71)] and in APOE e4 non‐carriers [2.97 (1.00–8.55)] with significant interaction terms, and bordered on significance in the presence of above‐median homocysteine level [2.73 (0.94–7.90)].

Conclusions

These findings suggest gene‐environment and gene‐gene interactions on the risk of AD in Koreans. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.