Generic placeholder image

Current Alzheimer Research

Editor-in-Chief

ISSN (Print): 1567-2050
ISSN (Online): 1875-5828

Molecular Basis of Familial and Sporadic Alzheimer's Disease

Author(s): Jolanta Dorszewska, Michal Prendecki, Anna Oczkowska, Mateusz Dezor and Wojciech Kozubski

Volume 13, Issue 9, 2016

Page: [952 - 963] Pages: 12

DOI: 10.2174/1567205013666160314150501

Price: $65

Abstract

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a multifactorial disease with genetic (70%) and environmental (30%) causes. Among the genetic factors are genes associated with a family history of the disease (familial AD, FAD) and sporadic AD (SAD). The genes: APP (amyloid precursor protein), PSEN1 (Presenilin 1) and PSEN2 (Presenilin 2) are responsible for the presence of FAD. The APOE gene is responsible for the sporadic form of the disease. Other molecular factors related to the immunological cause (TREM2) of the disease are a disorder of the lipid (ABCA1, ABCA7) or biothiol (MTHFD1) metabolism and of the transport of metabolites (BIN1). Currently, it is believed that APOE is a risk factor for both SAD and late-onset FAD.

The pathomechanism of AD is most commonly explained as based on the amyloid cascade theory. This theory is related to the FAD, although there are reports indicating the probability of its occurrence in the SAD. It seems that the excessive deposition of β-amyloid (Aβ) peptides and intracellular neurofibrillary tangles of tau protein hyperphosphorylated forms contribute to the damage of both DNA and RNA. Furthermore, it is believed that RNA-interference can affect both the level of pathological proteins (Aβ, tau protein) and the onset and progress of AD.

It seems that a complete understanding of both FAD and SAD pathogenesis may contribute to the search for earlier clinical diagnosis and to an understanding of later occurrence of the disease, which may help modify its course and affect more effective therapy of this incurable neurological disease.

Keywords: Genetic and biochemical factors, DNA, RNA, FAD, SAD.


Rights & Permissions Print Export Cite as
© 2024 Bentham Science Publishers | Privacy Policy