Angiotensin converting enzyme deletion allele in different kinds of dementia disorders

In order to verify the association of Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) gene with different kinds of dementia, as well as its association with APO-E (genotype), we performed ACE genotyping in subjects with late-onset probable Alzheimer's disease (LOAD, n = 64), early-onset probable Alzheimer's disease (EOAD, n = 32), possible Alzheimer's disease (pAD, n = 44), vascular dementia (VD, n = 12), age-associated memory impairment (AAMI, n = 15) and 40 healthy age-matched controls, who were previously characterized for APO-E. After the principal component analysis ACE D and Apo-E epsilon(4) alleles disclosed the highest prevalence in the cognitively impaired groups of subjects, Apo-E epsilon(4) being more specific for LOAD and pAD. ACE D allele seems to be an unspecific susceptibility factor for mental decline. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.