Alterations of the X Chromosome in Lymphocytes of Alzheimer's Disease Patients

Curr Alzheimer Res. 2015;12(10):990-6. doi: 10.2174/1567205012666151027124154.

Abstract

Chromosomal alterations as a sign of genetic instability are a feature of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Assessment of the genetic instability of non-neuronal cells of AD patients may provide a method to diagnose or monitor prognosis of the disease. Considering the importance of X chromosome alterations in the possible etiology of AD females, we used fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) for the centromere region of the X chromosome to determine aneuploidy, for a possible correlation with premature centromere division (PCD, X) in lymphocytes of AD females and age-matched controls. In AD patients, our results showed a marked and significant increase in the frequency of the X chromosome aneuploidy comparing with age matched controls (p<0.001). Also, a significant difference was detected in the PCD, X frequency between AD females when compared with age matched controls (p<0.001). In addition, a strong (R2=0.97, n=20) and significant (p<0.001) correlation was found between the frequency of aneuploidy and PCD, X in the AD group. Our results support the view that AD is a generalized systematic disease where PCD is to be considered as a stable sign of disease leading to aneuploidy.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Alzheimer Disease / blood*
  • Alzheimer Disease / genetics*
  • Aneuploidy*
  • Animals
  • Chromosomes, Human, X / genetics*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence
  • Lymphocytes*
  • Middle Aged