|
|
|
|
The apolipoprotein-e4 allele increases the risk of Alzheimer's disease (AD),but cerebral deposition of b-amyloid with age,a genetic mutation,or head injury may contribute to the pathogenesis of this disease.We examined the risks of AD associated with traumatic head injury and apolipoprotein- e4 in 236 community-dwelling elderly persons.A 10-fold increase in the risk of AD was associated with both apolipoprotein-e4 and a history of traumatic head injury,compared with a two-fold increase in risk with apolipoprotein-e4 alone.Head injury in the absence of an apolipoprotein-e4 allele did not increase risk.These data imply that the biological effects of head injury may increase the risk of AD,but only through a synergistic relationship with apolipoprotein-e4. |
|