Cytokine IL-1 beta but not IL-1 alpha promoter polymorphism is associated with Alzheimer disease in a population from the Canary Islands, Spain.

Aims: Previous studies have reported the presence of low-grade inflammation in Alzheimer disease (AD). Based on these data, our work attempts to investigate the effects of some promoter polymorphisms of pro-inflammatory cytokines [interleukin (IL)-1 alpha and IL-1 beta] on AD.

Patients And Methods: A PCR-RFLP technique was used to analyze the promoter polymorphisms of both IL-1 alpha (-889 C/T) and IL-1 beta (-511 C/T) and the APOE genotype from the DNA samples of 282 patients (according to NINCDS-ADRDA criteria) and 312 control subjects.

Butyrylcholinesterase, ApoE and Alzheimer's disease in a population from the Canary Islands (Spain).

Aim: Cholinergic dysfunction is a major neurochemical feature in Alzheimer's disease (AD), accountable for many cognitive dysfunctions and some psychiatric symptoms. Butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) is one of the cholinesterases with increased activity in the brain of Alzheimer's patients. Several mutations code for different BChE, such as the K variant, which is the most common and is capable of reducing BChE activity by 30%.

[Autoimmune diseases and multiple sclerosis].

Introduction: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a demyelinating disease affecting the central nervous system with an unknown origin, although the immunological system plays a crucial role in its pathogenesis. It has been observed that the relatives of MS patients very often have other autoimmune diseases (ADs) and it has been suggested that there may be susceptibility genes that are common to this group of diseases.

Aims: Our aim was to estimate the prevalence of ADs in first and second degree relatives of patients with MS and to determine the coexistence of other ADs in MS patients.

[Familial multiple sclerosis in Canary Islands].

Introduction: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease that occurs in genetically predisposed individuals. Its inheritance is polygenic. Genetic epidemiology studies have shown an increased familial aggregation.