Alzheimer Disease: Manolio TA

Manolio TA. · National Human Genome Research Institute, Building 31, Room 4B-09, 31 Center Drive, MSC 2154, Bethesda, MD 20892-2154, USA. · Pharmacogenomics. · Pubmed #19207024 No free full text.

Abstract: In the past 3 years, genome-wide association (GWA) studies have revolutionized the discovery of genetic variants associated with complex diseases. These studies present unique challenges in their conduct; particularly in the need for meticulous quality control of genotyping and for sample sizes large enough to withstand the severe penalty for multiple comparisons necessitated by testing hundreds of thousands of SNPs. They also present unique opportunities in the unprecedented detail with which they characterize an individual's genome and the potential for relating that information to any trait consistent with that person's informed consent. Such data exceed the abilities of any single group of investigators to mine them fully and by NIH policy are distributed to qualified investigators agreeing to specified terms of use. This report describes collaborative programs of the National Human Genome Research Institute's Office of Population Genomics for facilitating collection, analysis, interpretation, and dissemination of these data so that their research value can be maximized.

Manolio TA, Olson J, Longstreth WT. · Division of Epidemiology and Clinical Applications, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, 6701 Rockledge Drive, MSC 7934, Bethesda, MD 20892-7934, USA. · Curr Hypertens Rep. · Pubmed #12724059 No free full text.

Abstract: Accumulating evidence supports a causal role of hypertension for cognitive decline above and beyond its relationship to frank stroke. Hypertension-associated pathologic changes in the brain and its vasculature include vascular remodeling, impaired cerebral autoregulation, cerebral microbleeds, white matter lesions, unrecognized lacunar infarcts, and Alzheimer-like changes such as amyloid angiopathy and cerebral atrophy. White matter lesions and retinal vascular changes, both of which can be imaged noninvasively, may reveal the general condition of the cerebral vasculature or the presence of arteriosclerotic or hypertensive encephalopathy. These noninvasive indicators may also identify a subgroup in whom infarct prevention, particularly via blood pressure reduction, is of paramount importance. Optimal control of blood pressure on a population-wide basis, but particularly in those prone to cognitive loss, is thus a critically important but as yet elusive goal that should be fully exploited for its potential to reduce future cognitive impairment.