Apolipoprotein genotyping in Alzheimer's disease

A consensus document published in 1996 provides guidance on the use of apolipoprotein E genotyping in Alzheimer's disease. The main points of the report were (1):

• apoE genotyping is not recommended for risk assessment in individuals without symptoms or signs of Alzheimer's disease
• apoE-4 is more common in patients with Alzheimer's disease than in either the normal population or those patients with non-Alzheimer's dementia; for these reasons some physicians may wish to use apoE genotyping as an adjunct in the diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease
• apoE genotyping should not be used as the sole diagnostic test in Alzheimer's disease
• the social and financial implications of apoE genotyping should be considered before investigating a patient.

Reference:

• (1) Relkin, N., & Alzheimer's Association Working Group. (1996). Apolipoprotein E genotyping in Alzheimer's disease. The Lancet, 347(9008), 1091-1095.
• (2) Statement on use of apolipoprotein E testing for Alzheimer disease. American College of Medical Genetics/American Society of Human Genetics Working Group on ApoE and Alzheimer disease. JAMA. 1995 Nov 22-29;274(20):1627-9.