Post-stroke dementia is associated with alpha(1)-antichymotrypsin polymorphism.

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE:

Alpha-1-antichymotrypsin (ACT) is an acute phase protein involved in inflammatory reaction, promoting the assembly of beta amyloid protein into filaments and contributing to its resistance to proteolytic digestion. The aim of our study was to determine ACT signal peptide polymorphism (A/T) as a possible risk factor for post-stroke dementia (PSD).

METHODS:

142 consecutive ischemic stroke patients and 188 controls were included in this study. Pre-stroke dementia (PRESD) was evaluated using the Informant Questionnaire on Cognitive Decline in the Elderly (IQCODE). The diagnosis of the post-stroke dementia (PSD) was established according to DSM-IV criteria. The ACT gene (A/T) polymorphism was determined by PCR-RFLR.

RESULTS:

Both ACT-TT genotype and T-allele were significantly more prevalent in patients with PSD than in non-demented stroke patients, controls or patients with PRESD. After adjustment for age, gender, and vascular risk factors, both the ACT-TT genotype and T-allele remained independently associated with PSD.

CONCLUSION:

Our findings suggest that ACT polymorphism (A/T) is a risk factor for PSD.

• Authors: Aleksandra Klimkowicz, Agnieszka Słowik, Tomasz Dziedzic, Romuald Polczyk, Andrzej Szczudlik
• Journal: Journal of the neurological sciences (J Neurol Sci) Vol. 234 Issue 1-2 Pg. 31-6 (Jul 15 2005) ISSN: 0022-510X [Print] Netherlands
• PMID: 15935385 (Publication Type: Comparative Study, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• alpha 1-Antichymotrypsin

Topics

• Aged
• Aged, 80 and over
• Chi-Square Distribution
• Cognition (physiology)
• Dementia (etiology, genetics, physiopathology)
• Female
• Gene Frequency
• Genetic Predisposition to Disease
• Genotype
• Humans
• Logistic Models
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Neuropsychological Tests (statistics & numerical data)
• Polymorphism, Genetic
• Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction (methods)
• Risk Factors
• Statistics, Nonparametric
• Stroke (classification, complications)
• Surveys and Questionnaires
• alpha 1-Antichymotrypsin (genetics)