3-HYDROXYMETHYLGLUTARYL COENZYME A REDUCTASE AND DIAGNOSIS AND PROGNOSTICATION OF DEMENTIA

摘要

The invention relates to methods and commercial packages for the diagnosis and/or prognostication of a dementia. The methods are based upon the assessment of a feature or features relating to 3-hydroxymethylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase (HMGR) gene, a polymorphism associated with the gene, the nature of mRNA transcripts produced, and/or HMGR protein activity. Applicants have determined that a decrease in HMGR activity correlates with Alzheimer disease. Applicants have further determined that the presence of a polymorphism in the HMGR gene correlates with Alzheimer disease. Applicants have identified two abnormal HMGR mRNA transcripts and have shown that their presence correlates , with Alzheimer disease.