Replication of EPHA1 and CD33 associations with late-onset Alzheimer's disease: a multi-centre case-control study
2011

Study on Genetic Variants Linked to Alzheimer's Disease

Sample size: 6835 publication Evidence: high

Author Information

Author(s): Minerva M Carrasquillo, Olivia Belbin, Talisha A Hunter, Li Ma, Gina D Bisceglio, Fanggeng Zou, Julia E Crook, V Shane Pankratz, Sigrid B Sando, Jan O Aasly, Maria Barcikowska, Zbigniew K Wszolek, Dennis W Dickson, Neill R Graff-Radford, Ronald C Petersen, Peter Passmore, Kevin Morgan, Steven G Younkin

Primary Institution: Mayo Clinic College of Medicine

Hypothesis

Are the genetic variants EPHA1 and CD33 associated with late-onset Alzheimer's disease?

Conclusion

The study confirms that variants in EPHA1 and CD33 are associated with an increased risk of late-onset Alzheimer's disease.

Supporting Evidence

  • EPHA1 and CD33 variants were replicated in a large independent dataset.
  • The study included 2,634 Alzheimer's patients and 4,201 controls.
  • Odds ratios for EPHA1 and CD33 were comparable to previous studies.
  • Significant associations were found for EPHA1 (p = 5 × 10-4) and CD33 (p = 0.049).
  • Meta-analysis showed no significant series heterogeneity.

Takeaway

Scientists looked at genes to see if they are linked to Alzheimer's disease and found that two specific genes are important.

Methodology

The study involved genotyping five genetic variants in a large dataset of Alzheimer's patients and controls, followed by meta-analysis.

Limitations

The associations for some variants did not survive adjustment for covariates, indicating potential dependency on other factors.

Participant Demographics

Caucasian subjects from the USA and Europe.

Statistical Information

P-Value

p = 5 × 10-4 for EPHA1; p = 0.049 for CD33

Confidence Interval

95% CI not specified

Statistical Significance

p<0.05

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1186/1750-1326-6-54

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