Apolipoprotein E genotype and concomitant clinical features in early-onset Alzheimer's disease

We have studied the relationship between the apolipoprotein E gene (APOE) and the development of myoclonus, tremors, rigidity and seizures in 168 patients with probable early-onset Alzheimer's disease (AD). There was a statistically significantly lower risk of tremor for carriers of the e4 allele of APOE. This allele was also associated with an increased risk of myoclonus. Our findings suggest that there may be differences in progression and clinical appearance in early-onset AD related to the APOE genotype.