The gene defects responsible for familial Alzheimer's disease

Four different genes have now been found to contain AD-associated mutations or polymorphisms. While the pathogenic mutations in the early- onset FAD genes, APP, PS1, and PS2 directly cause AD with nearly 100% penetrance, in a larger subset of AD cases with onset over 60 years (maximally for onset at 61-65 years), inheritance of the APOE4 allele confers increased risk for AD but is not sufficient to cause the disease. Together, these four genes appear to account for approximately 50% of FAD cases. We are actively screening the genome for additional FAD loci by genotyping markers in over 400 FAD nuclear pedigrees and affected sib-pairs (83% late-onset and 17% early-onset). We have recently discovered genetic linkage to a novel FAD locus on chromosome 12 as well as another putative locus on chromosome 3 (unpublished findings). Positional cloning strategies are currently under way to identify these potentially novel FAD genes. A common event which is associated with all of the known FAD genes is the excessive accumulation of the Aβ peptide and deposition of β-amyloid in the brain. Thus, a common pathogenic pathway for AD neuropathogenesis appears to center around the cellular trafficking, maturation, and processing of APP, and the subsequent generation, aggregation, and deposition of Aβ (or more specifically, Aβ1- 42). APP and presenilin gene mutations most likely act as either gain-of- function or dominant negative gene defects which may ultimately lead to the transport of APP into intracellular compartments that promote the enhanced production of Aβ or Aβ1-42. AD patients who carry an APOE4 allele experience increased amyloid burden in their brains compared to APOE4- negative AD cases. Thus, the presence of APOE4 would also appear to lead to abnormal generation, aggregation, or clearance of Aβ in the brain Aβ, perhaps by working in concert with its neuronal receptor, LRP. While the exact mechanisms by which the known FAD gene changes lead to the onset of AD remain unclear, the available data indicate that novel therapies aimed at curbing the generation, aggregation, and deposition of Aβ would appear to carry the greatest potential for the effective treatment of this formidable disease.