Genetic Associations of Autopsy-Confirmed Vascular Dementia Subtypes

Abstract
Background/Aims: Genetic risk factors have not been clearly established for vascular dementias (VaD) related to stroke and cerebrovascular disease. Methods: Samples were genotyped for APOE, MTHFR and ICAM. A beta levels and choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) activities were assayed in controls and individuals with VaD. Results: Associations were found between the APOE-epsilon 4 allele and mixed dementia, infarct/stroke dementia and subcortical ischemic vascular dementia (SIVD), and higher A beta 1-42 levels and decreased ChAT activity. MTHFR was more associated with SIVD, mixed dementia, and lower ChAT activity. Conclusions: The study demonstrates important differences in the genetic associations of VaD and begins to clarify the genetic basis of key pathological substrates. Copyright (C) 2011 S. Karger AG, Basel