Insulin-like growth factor–1 and risk of late-onset Alzheimer's disease: findings from a family study

• Published in: Neurobiology of aging 2014-03, Vol.35 (3), p.725.e7-725.e10
• Main Authors: van Exel, E, Eikelenboom, P, Comijs, H, Deeg, D.J.H, Stek, M.L, Westendorp, R.G.J
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Age of Onset; Alzheimer Disease - blood; Alzheimer Disease - epidemiology; Alzheimer Disease - genetics; Alzheimer Disease - prevention & control; Alzheimer's disease; Animals; Apolipoproteins E - genetics; Family study; Female; Humans; Insulin-Like Growth Factor I - metabolism; Insulin-like growth factor–1; Internal Medicine; Male; Mice; Middle Aged; Neurology; Risk; Signal Transduction - genetics; Signal Transduction - physiology
• ISSN: 0197-4580; 1558-1497
• DOI: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2013.08.014

Abstract Insulin-like growth factor–1 (IGF-1), part of an evolutionary conserved signaling pathway in both mammalian and non-mammalian species, is inferred in neurodegenerative disorders including Alzheimer's disease (AD). A murine model for AD shows that reduced IGF-1 signaling prevents AD-like characteristics. However, variation in serum levels of IGF-1 and risk of AD in humans has yet to be determined. We used a proven family design, comparing middle-aged offspring with and without a parental history of AD. The offspring under study carry an increased risk of AD but do not yet experience cognitive impairment. A total of 206 offspring from 92 families with a parental history of AD were compared with 200 offspring from 97 families without a parental history of AD. Apolipoprotein-E (APOE) genotypes and serum IGF-1 levels were compared in subjects with and without a parental history of AD using linear regression, adjusted for APOE genotype and other possible demographic and clinical confounders. Offspring with a parental history of AD were more likely to be an APOE ε4 allele carrier (46.5% vs. 21%, p  = 0.001) than were offspring without such a parental history. Offspring with a parental history of AD had higher IGF-1 levels than subjects without such a history, in both unadjusted and adjusted analyses (18.3 mmol/L vs. 16.7 mmol/L, p  = 0.001). In conclusion, higher serum IGF-1 levels in middle age are associated with risk of AD disease in older age, independent of APOE genotype.