Journal of Alzheimer's Disease - Volume 17, issue 2

Authors: Sato, Noriko | Ueki, Akinori | Ueno, Hideo | Shinjo, Hidetaka | Morita, Yoshio

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Dopamine D3 receptor (DRD3) is present in the limbic system, which is thought to regulate affect, cognition, and activity. Thus a functional change in the DRD3 gene could in turn affect the cognitive and psychiatric symptoms of dementia of Alzheimer's type (DAT). We investigated a possible association of DRD3 genotype with DAT and the behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) in mild DAT. The genotyping for DRD3 and apolipoprotein E (ApoE) was determined using restriction fragment length polymorphism in 210 patients with mild DAT and 224 age- and sex-matched non-demented controls. The occurrence of BPSD during the course of …mild dementia was demonstrated using the Behavioral Pathology in Alzheimer's Disease rating scale (BEHAVE-AD). No significant differences in DRD3 genotype were identified between DAT and controls, regardless of ApoE ε4. Among the DAT with BPSD, however, a significant association was observed between the presence of the DRD3 glycine allele and paranoid and delusional ideation, regardless of ApoE ε4. In conclusion, DRD3 gene polymorphism is unlikely to play a substantial role in conferring susceptibility to DAT, but it may be involved in the development of paranoid and delusional ideation during the course of mild DAT. Show more

Keywords: Behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD), delusional ideation, dementia of Alzheimer's type, dopamine D3 receptor, gene polymorphism, paranoid ideation, Ser9Gly

DOI: 10.3233/JAD-2009-1054

Citation: Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, vol. 17, no. 2, pp. 441-448, 2009

Article Type: Discussion

DOI: 10.3233/JAD-2009-1085

Citation: Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, vol. 17, no. 2, pp. 449-452, 2009

Article Type: Announcement

DOI: 10.3233/JAD-2009-1102

Citation: Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, vol. 17, no. 2, pp. 453-455, 2009