The relationship of plasma homocysteine level and apolipoprotein E gene polymorphism with Alzheimer's disease

Objective To investigate the correlations of plasma homocysteine(Hcy)level and apolipoprotein E gene polymorphism with Alzheimer's disease(AD)and mild cognitive impairment(MCI). Methods A case-control study in 66 AD patients(AD group), 64 MCI patients(MCI group)and 54 healthy controls(control group)was conducted. Plasma Hcy level and ApoE polymorphism were determined and analyzed. Results Plasma Hcy levels were significantly higher in AD and MCI groups than in control subjects(both P 15 μmol/L), 12.6 in patients with carrying e4 allele, and 46.7 in patients with both Hhcy and carrying e4 allele, which indicated that there was interaction between hyperhomocysteinemia and carrying e4 allele. Conclusions Hyperhomocysteinemia and ApoE e4 allele are correlated with dementia and also have additive interactions. Key words: Alzheimer disease; Hyper homocysteinemia; Apolipoprotein E