Citation

Pritchard AL, Pritchard CW, Bentham P, Lendon CL. Dement. Geriatr. Cogn. Disord. 2008; 26(3): 257-260.

Affiliation

Molecular Psychiatry Group, Population Studies and Human Genetics, Queensland Institute of Medical Research, Brisbane, Qld., Australia. Antonia.Pritchard@qimr.edu.au

Copyright

(Copyright © 2008, Karger Publishers)

DOI

10.1159/000160958

PMID

18841010

Abstract

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Alzheimer's disease patients commonly suffer from behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD); a genetic component to the development of BPSD has been demonstrated. Genetic risk factors for other psychiatric disorders have been implicated in BPSD; however, this is the first known investigation of the dopamine transporter (DAT1) gene in BPSD. METHODS: Our large cohort of 395 patients with probable Alzheimer's disease was dichotomised into whether they had ever suffered from a given symptom over the study period or not, based on longitudinal data using the BPSD (Neuropsychiatric Inventory). These measures were related to the DAT1 3'-untranslated region (UTR) variable number tandem repeat (VNTR) polymorphism. RESULTS: Potential associations were revealed between the 9-repeat allele and presence of irritability and between the 10-repeat allele and aberrant motor behaviour (AMB); however, these do not remain significant after correction for multiple testing. No associations were observed with delusions, hallucinations, depression, agitation/aggression or elation. CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that the DAT1 3'-UTR VNTR could play a role in susceptibility to irritability and AMB. The findings presented here require replication in large well-characterised cohorts.

Language: en