Genetic Variants in the APOE Gene Region Responsible for Change in Cerebrospinal Fluid AB42 Protein Levels

Authors

Spencer Foutz, Brigham Young University
Dr. John Kauwe, Brigham Young University

Keywords

APOE gene region, cerebrospinal fluid, AB42 protein levels, genetic variants

College

Life Sciences

Department

Biology

Abstract

For the last several years, the e4 allele in the APOE gene region has been a strong determinant of the development of Amyloid Beta plaques in the brain’s cerebral spinal fluid. As these plaques aggregate, the deposits become increasingly deadly to neuronal cells, and can eventually lead to Alzheimers’ Disease. While the e4 allele is a strong indicator of change in Amyloid Beta levels, there are believed to be other genetic variants within the APOE gene region that also greatly influence this protein. Our purpose was to further evaluate previous studies on this gene region in order to determine other variants which could possibly play a role in the genetic pathology of the onset of Alzheimers’ Disease.

Recommended Citation

Foutz, Spencer and Kauwe, Dr. John (2014) "Genetic Variants in the APOE Gene Region Responsible for Change in Cerebrospinal Fluid AB42 Protein Levels," Journal of Undergraduate Research: Vol. 2014: Iss. 1, Article 719.
Available at: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/jur/vol2014/iss1/719