The influence of genetic polymorphisms on white matter lesion load in dementia

Abstract

Introduction:

Ischemic neuronal disintegration of the brain tissue is a main risk factor for the development of a vascular dementia (VD). Because of the complexity of cerebrovascular and other factors it is not possible to describe the whole variance of the incidence of VD merely by genetic polymorphisms, however they may explain a part of the complexity. Nevertheless there is hope to identify the contribution of genetic markers in VD.

Material and methods:

Data of clinically, neuropsychologically, neuroradiologically and genetically examined patients (n = 236) of a memory clinic were analysed upon the interrelation of clinical diagnosis according to ICD-10 and genetics, differentiated in the diagnostic groups: cognitively healthy persons (XD, n=65), VD (n=56) and Alzheimer´s Disease (AD, n=115).

Comparison of groups was done using descriptive statistics and analysis of variance.

Results:

The VD group (n=56) was genetically different compared to both groups, patients with Alzheimer disease (AD, n=115) and cognitively healthy persons (XD, n=65). For VD, there was a statistically significant correlation between some genetic markers and wmL load.

Conclusion:

Regarding procentual frequency of the polymorphisms genetic pattern in patients with VD are different to XD but not to the AD group.

The wmL load is higher in VD and AD then in XD.

In general, the results are arguments against dichotomy and for the hypothesis of interaction between VD and AD in older age.