Apolipoprotein E and Alzheimer's Disease

There is now considerable genetic evidence that the type 4 allele of the apolipoprotein E gene is a major susceptibility factor associated with late­ onset Alzheimer's disease, the common form of the disease defined as starting after 60 years of age. The roles of apolipoprotein E in normal brain metabo­ lism and in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease are new and exciting avenues of research. This is why the Fondation Ipsen organised an interna­ tional meeting on this topic in Paris on May 29,1995, and the proceedings are contained in this book. The editors wish to thank Mrs Mary Lynn Gage for editorial and Mrs Jacqueline Mervaillie for the organization of the meeting in Paris. Allen Roses Karl Weisgraber Yves Christen Contents Apolipoprotein E and Alzheimer's Disease: State of the Field After Two Years A. D. Roses, W. I. Strittmatter, A. M. Saunders, D. E. Schmechel, and M. A. Pericak-Vance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Role of Apolipoprotein E in Alzheimer's Disease: Clues from its Structure KH. Weisgraber and L. M Dong . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Apolipoprotein E4, Cholinergic Integrity, Synaptic Plasticity and Alzheimer's Disease I. Poirier, M-C. Delisle, R. Quirion, I. Aubert, I. Rocheford, I. Rousse, S. Gracon, M. Farlow, and S. Gauthier. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Pattern of Apolipoprotein E Immunoreactivity During Brain Aging D. E. Schmechel, MO. Tiller, P. Tong, M McSwain, S. -H. Han, R. Ange, D. S. Burkhart, and MK Izard. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .