We completed the first phase of a study to evaluate the quality of the DNA in the HAAS samples that was extracted in 1994 for Apolipoprotein E genotyping. The conclusion was that the DNA quality could only be used reliably for very robust PCR analyses. Therefore, as a first step in the project we will extract new DNA from the remaining buffy coat in a nested case control study that includes all cases of dementia identified in exams 4 and 5, cases of mild cognitive impairment (defined as a drop in CASI score of >4pts per year), a random set of controls frequency matched in 5-year strata to the cases. In the second stage, we will conduct association studies of polymorphisms in relation to the risk for dementia. In line with the research objective of investigating the association of blood pressure to the risk of dementia, our first candidate gene to investigate is the Angiotensin Converting Enzyme (ACE) polymorphism. In the HAAS cohort, we found an association of high blood pressure to an increased risk for cognitive impairment, clinical AD (2) and neuropathologic markers of AD. We found that men never treated with antihypertensives were at the greatest risk for cognitive impairment and dementia. The data were also suggestive of increased risk for AD (clinical and neuropathologic markers) among those with low blood pressure. The ACE polymorphism has been implicated as a susceptibility gene for AD. Dr. L.Farrer has recently found an association between the D allele of the ACE polymorphism and an increased risk of AD in two cohorts, one from Russia and one from North America.
| Petrovitch, Helen; Ross, G Webster; He, Qimei et al. (2008) Characterization of Japanese-American men with a single neocortical AD lesion type. Neurobiol Aging 29:1448-55 |
| Launer, Lenore J; Petrovitch, Helen; Ross, G Webster et al. (2008) AD brain pathology: vascular origins? Results from the HAAS autopsy study. Neurobiol Aging 29:1587-90 |
| Eiriksdottir, Gudny; Aspelund, Thor; Bjarnadottir, Kristjana et al. (2006) Apolipoprotein E genotype and statins affect CRP levels through independent and different mechanisms: AGES-Reykjavik Study. Atherosclerosis 186:222-4 |
| Marlowe, Lauren; Peila, Rita; Benke, Kelly Suzanne et al. (2006) Insulin-degrading enzyme haplotypes affect insulin levels but not dementia risk. Neurodegener Dis 3:320-6 |
| Yucesoy, Berran; Peila, Rita; White, Lon R et al. (2006) Association of interleukin-1 gene polymorphisms with dementia in a community-based sample: the Honolulu-Asia Aging Study. Neurobiol Aging 27:211-7 |
| Korf, Esther S C; White, Lon R; Scheltens, Ph et al. (2006) Brain aging in very old men with type 2 diabetes: the Honolulu-Asia Aging Study. Diabetes Care 29:2268-74 |
| Irie, Fumiko; Strozyk, D; Peila, R et al. (2006) Brain lesions on MRI and endogenous sex hormones in elderly men. Neurobiol Aging 27:1137-44 |
| Scher, Ann I; Terwindt, Gisela M; Verschuren, W M Monique et al. (2006) Migraine and MTHFR C677T genotype in a population-based sample. Ann Neurol 59:372-5 |
| Kruit, Mark C; Launer, Lenore J; Ferrari, Michel D et al. (2006) Brain stem and cerebellar hyperintense lesions in migraine. Stroke 37:1109-12 |
| Launer, L J (2005) The epidemiologic study of dementia: a life-long quest? Neurobiol Aging 26:335-40 |
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