Affiliations: [a] Department of Psychiatry, Vita-Salute University School of Medicine, Fondazione Centro San Raffaele del Monte Tabor, Milan, Italy | [b] Division of Psychiatry, Clinical Psychology and Rehabilitation, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Perugia, Italy | [c] Department of Psychiatry “P. Ottonello” Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, Italy
Correspondence:
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Corresponding author: Alessandro Serretti M.D., Department of Psychiatry - Istituto Scientifico H San Raffaele, Vita-Salute University, Via Stamira D'Ancona 20 - 20127 Milano - Italy. Tel.: +39 02 2643 3250; Fax: +39 02 2643 3265; E-mail: [email protected].
Abstract: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the major cause of dementia in the elderly. It is characterized by a progressive deterioration in memory and cognitive functions, but also behavioral symptoms are common. Many different genes are possibly involved in Alzheimer's Disease: four genetic factors were confirmed in different studies, while at least 50 additional genes were tested with contrasting results. A major aim both for clinician and researchers would be the identification of the genes involved in AD, to better understand the biological mechanism of this disease and consequently to develop appropriate treatments. The aim of this review is to explore genetics of AD.
