Genetics
Meta-analysis finds CETP TaqIB genotype raises Alzheimer's risk only in APOE4-positive Asians, with no overall population association (Neurobiol Aging 2014)
Original title: Association between the CETP polymorphisms and the risk of Alzheimer's disease, carotid atherosclerosis, longevity, and the efficacy of statin therapy
This meta-analysis of thirty-two studies searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, BIOSIS, the Cochrane Library and the Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure to evaluate associations between CETP gene polymorphisms and risk of Alzheimer's disease, carotid atherosclerosis, longevity, and statin therapy efficacy. Across the pooled overall population, there was no difference in I405V, C629A or Taq1B genotype frequencies between Alzheimer's disease and control groups, and neither I405V nor Taq1B was associated with carotid atherosclerosis, longevity, or statin efficacy. However, stratified analysis showed the Taq1B B2B2 genotype had higher frequency in Alzheimer's disease patients than controls specifically among Asian populations who were also APOE4 positive, indicating this CETP-Alzheimer's association is restricted to a specific genetic subgroup rather than a general population effect.
Original abstract
The purpose of this meta-analysis was to detect the association between the cholesteryl ester transfer protein gene polymorphisms and the risk of Alzheimer's disease (AD), carotid atherosclerosis, longevity, and the efficacy of statin therapy. Databases of MEDLINE, EMBASE, BIOSIS, the Cochrane Library, and the Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure were systematically searched. Thirty-two studies were included in this meta-analysis. There was no difference in the I405V, C629A, and Taq1B polymorphisms between AD and control groups. However, stratified analysis showed that AD group had higher B2B2 genotype frequency than control group in Asian populations with APOE4+ in Taq1B. I405V and Taq1B polymorphisms were not associated with the risk of carotid atherosclerosis and longevity. The efficacy of statin therapy was not associated with Taq1B polymorphism. In conclusion, there was no association between cholesteryl ester transfer protein gene polymorphisms and the risk of AD, carotid atherosclerosis, longevity, and the efficacy of statin therapy in the pooled effects of overall population. However, the B2B2 genotype of Taq1B was associated with increased risk of AD in the Asian populations with APOE4+.
Summary written by cetpinhibition.org from the published abstract; figures as published. Page updated 19 August 2026. Methods.