METHODS OF IDENTIFYING GENETIC RISK FOR AND EVALUATING TREATMENT OF ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE BY DETERMING SINGLE NUCLEOTIDE POLYMORPHISMS

摘要

Based on the unexpected identification of single nucleotide polymorphisms in the LIPA gene as novel genetic risk factors that link cholesterol metabolism to Alzheimer s disease, the present invention provides a method of diagnosing or prognosticating Alzheimer s disease, or determining the propensity or predisposition of a subject to develop Alzheimer s disease. The method comprises detecting the presence or absence of a variation in the LIPA gene which encodes the enzyme acid cholesteryl ester hydrolase. Furthermore, the invention provides methods of diagnosing Alzheimer's disease by using the CH25H gene and/or the LIPA gene and their corresponding gene products.