CONy 2021 | Genetics in Alzheimer’s disease: what have we learned so far?

George Perry, PhD, The University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, discusses the role of genetics in the diagnosis and clinical management of Alzheimer’s disease. In a debate during the 2021 World Congress on Controversies in Neurology (CONy), Dr Perry argued that genetics will not play a critical role. Aside from apolipoprotein E (APOE), what has been learned through genetics has told us very little about the disease. Overall, genetics haven’t provided any additional information besides the importance of β-amyloid, neurofibrillary tangles, and inflammation, but that was clear in 1906 when the disease was first described. In Alzheimer’s disease, genetics is clearly involved in the process, but it doesn’t have to be the initial factor, and in fact, experiments indicate that is probably a protective factor. This interview was conducted during the virtual 2021 CONy meeting.