The British Journal of Psychiatry 145: 20-38 (1984)
© 1984 The Royal College of Psychiatrists
Genetics, ageing and dementia
AF Wright and LJ Whalley
The contribution of genetic differences to variation in ageing and the
relationship of ageing to certain types of dementia are discussed.
Neuropathological changes commonly found in the ageing brain are present in
more severe form in Alzheimer-type dementia, Down's syndrome, multi-infarct
dementia, and a substantial number of patients with Parkinson's disease. An
increased frequency of ageing-associated changes outside the brain have
been reported in Alzheimer-type dementia, Down's syndrome, and
multi-infarct dementia, although the evidence is generally meagre and in
many cases requires further corroboration. Genetic studies of
Alzheimer-type dementia support the existence of heterogeneity on the basis
of family history and age of onset; early onset is associated with greater
genetic risk and severity of abnormality. The increasing evidence of an
association between DNA damage, premature ageing, and neuronal cell loss
may provide insights into the aetiology of these and other forms of
dementia.
