Molecular and Genetic Medicine

Clinical and Genetic Analysis of Early-Onset Alzheimer's Disease in Two Chinese Han Families with Presenilin-1 Mutations

Abstract

Ren Z, Xia M, Chen Z, Shi Y, Ma Q, Bai Y and Zhang J

Alzheimer’s disease is an autosomal dominant neurodegenerative disease manifested by core symptoms of cognitive decline and memory impairment. This progressive disorder with an insidious onset typically appears in older individuals, but may also affect young people, even in their 30s. It is well established that mutations in amyloid precursor protein (APP), presenilin 1 (PSEN1) and presenilin 2 (PSEN2) cause Alzheimer’s disease. PSEN1 mutation is more common in Familial Alzheimer’s disease compared with PSEN2 and APP. Two patients fulfilling the NINCDS-ADRDA criteria for probable and definite Alzheimer’s disease were assessed. Two PSEN1 mutations (p.L392P and p.M233L) were identified from 2 probable early-onset familial Alzheimer’s disease (EOFAD) families, respectively. The p.L392P and p.M233L mutations were associated with prominent early onset, rapidly progressive dementia, and neurologic symptoms. Both p.L392P and p.M233L were predicted or confirmed to be pathogenic, and the p.L392P mutation in PSEN1 is the first report in China.