Cystatin C as a risk factor for Alzheimer disease

Neurology. 2005 Feb 22;64(4):755-7. doi: 10.1212/01.WNL.0000151980.42337.44.

Abstract

Cystatin C, a protease inhibitor with widespread distribution, is upregulated in response to injury. Levels are elevated in the brains of patients with Alzheimer disease (AD). We compared frequencies for the CST 3 exon 1 polymorphism in patients with AD and controls. A proportional odds model indicated that the CST 3 A and APOE4 combination carried a high risk: a 14-fold elevation for men and 16-fold for women. These risks apply to risk at ages older than 64 years and to a shift in onset to ages younger than 65 years.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Age of Onset
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Alleles
  • Alzheimer Disease / epidemiology
  • Alzheimer Disease / genetics*
  • Apolipoprotein E4
  • Apolipoproteins E / genetics
  • Chromosomes, Human, Pair 20 / genetics
  • Cystatin C
  • Cystatins / genetics*
  • Exons / genetics
  • Female
  • Gene Frequency
  • Genetic Predisposition to Disease
  • Genotype
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Odds Ratio
  • Polymorphism, Genetic
  • Risk Factors

Substances

  • Apolipoprotein E4
  • Apolipoproteins E
  • CST3 protein, human
  • Cystatin C
  • Cystatins