Clinical, Neuroimaging, and Environmental Risk Differences in Monozygotic Female Twins Appearing Discordant for Dementia of the Alzheimer Type

Small, Gary W.; Leuchter, Andrew F.; Mandelkern, M.; Rue, Asenath La; Okonek, Anna; Lufkin, Robert B.; Jarvik, Lissy F.; Matsuyama, Steven S.; Bondareff, William

doi:10.1001/archneur.1993.00540020085022

Cited by 25 publications

(17 citation statements)

References 61 publications

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“…Although there have been reports of single twin pairs discordant for AD in which neuroimaging results are included [23], this study represents the largest twin sample studied to date.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Neuroimaging Findings in Twins Discordant for Alzheimer’s Disease

et al. 1998

Dement Geriatr Cogn Disord

160

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Data from computed tomography (CT) scans of 12 twin pairs in which one partner had Azheimer’s disease (AD) and the other partner is cognitively intact were analyzed to study structural brain features associated with AD while controlling for familial factors. Visual ratings and analysis of quantified areas and volumes indicated that AD twins showed more dilation of temporal horns, lateral ventricles and third ventricle, and more atrophy of temporal lobes, particularly in the anterior temporal/perisylvian area, than their healthy cotwins. Demented twins did not have smaller intracranial areas or overall brain volumes than their intact partners. The apolipoprotein σ-4 allele was associated with greater dilation of lateral ventricles and ventricular volume. Significant intrapair correlations were found for total intracranial area and volume, cerebellar area and white matter lesions.

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“…Although there have been reports of single twin pairs discordant for AD in which neuroimaging results are included [23], this study represents the largest twin sample studied to date.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Neuroimaging Findings in Twins Discordant for Alzheimer’s Disease

et al. 1998

Dement Geriatr Cogn Disord

160

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“…Luxenberg et al [22] studied 1 monozygotic twin pair in which PET, MRI and CT were abnormal in the demented twin and normal in the healthy co-twin, and in neuropsychological tests, the demented twin demonstrated marked deficits in all areas of cognition, while the healthy twin showed milder impairment. In the study of Small et al [24], in 1 monozygotic twin pair appearing discordant for AD, PET showed reduced rCMRgluc in the demented twin and normal rCMRgluc in the healthy co-twin. In both twins, MRI showed atrophy, which was greater in the demented twin.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 92%

“…Previously, only a few PET studies have been performed with monozygotic twins discordant for AD [22][23][24], and these studies have been case reports of a single twin pair, or at most 3 twin pairs. Our aim was to investigate whether impaired cerebral glucose metabolism can already be detected in the non-demented monozygotic cotwins of the demented twins using PET and 2-[ 18 F]fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose (FDG).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Regional Cerebral Glucose Metabolism in Monozygotic Twins Discordant for Alzheimer’s Disease

Järvenpää

Räihä

Kaprio

et al. 2003

Dement Geriatr Cogn Disord

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We investigated regional cerebral glucose metabolic rates (rCMRgluc) with positron emission tomography using 2-[¹⁸F]fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose (FDG) in 7 monozygotic twin pairs discordant for Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Ten healthy volunteers with comparable mean age and educational level served as controls. In the hippocampus, the mean ± SD rCMRgluc were 0.20 ± 0.03 µmol/ml/min for the demented twins, 0.21 ± 0.03 µmol/ml/min for their non-demented co-twins, and 0.23 ± 0.02 µmol/ml/min for the controls. The mean hippocampal rCMRgluc was reduced in the demented twins (p = 0.006), compared with the controls. In the lateral temporal cortex, the mean ± SD rCMRgluc were 0.27 ± 0.05, 0.28 ± 0.04, and 0.32 ± 0.02 µmol/ml/min, respectively. These mean rates were reduced both in the demented (p = 0.02) and the non-demented (p = 0.01) twins, compared with the controls. In conclusion, in the demented twins, the reduction of rCMRgluc was detected in the hippocampus and lateral temporal cortex, i.e. the 2 brain areas which show early changes in pathological and imaging studies in AD. Their non-demented co-twins showed milder reductions, which may be an indication of genetic susceptibility for dementia, and an early sign of a dementing illness in them.

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“…Early intervention may then delay disease onset and perhaps even prevent some age-related diseases. Studies of AD in twins corroborate the genetic contribution to the disease (Small et al, 1993). The concordance rate for monozygotic twins approximates 50%, Living Better Longer whereas dizygotic twins are more likely to be discordant for the disease.…”

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confidence: 81%

Living Better Longer Through Technology

Small

1999

Int. Psychogeriatr.

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Not long ago, I saw a science fiction film with the premise that genetic, medical, and computer technology had excelled to the point that within a matter of seconds, any ordinary citizen could submit a minute skin or hair sample for DNA analysis, which would yield his or her future lifetime medical history within rather certain probabilities. In this future society, I could learn that my new-born grandson would have an 83% probability of a severe myocardial infarction by age 62 and that if he survived it, he had a 91% chance that his Alzheimer's disease (AD) would progress to the moderate level by age 78.

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Clinical, Neuroimaging, and Environmental Risk Differences in Monozygotic Female Twins Appearing Discordant for Dementia of the Alzheimer Type

Cited by 25 publications

References 61 publications

Neuroimaging Findings in Twins Discordant for Alzheimer’s Disease

Neuroimaging Findings in Twins Discordant for Alzheimer’s Disease

Regional Cerebral Glucose Metabolism in Monozygotic Twins Discordant for Alzheimer’s Disease

Living Better Longer Through Technology

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