Alzheimer disease is (sometimes) highly heritable: Drivers of variation in heritability estimates for binary traits, a systematic review.
Level 1 - systematic review of randomized trials
Systematic review of genetic and observational studies (by design analogy)
PubMed 40906820 · doi:10.1371/journal.pgen.1011701
What was done
A systematic review identified and analyzed late-onset Alzheimer's disease (LOAD) heritability estimates from 6 twin studies and 17 genome-wide association studies (GWAS), all performed in populations of European ancestry. The review evaluated how study designs, methodological approaches, and study population characteristics contribute to variation in heritability estimates for this binary trait.
What was found
Heritability estimates for LOAD varied considerably across the evaluated studies. This variation reflected differences in study design, analytical methodology, and underlying population characteristics. The abstract does not report specific numerical heritability values or statistical ranges.
Why it matters
Heritability figures for Alzheimer's disease are frequently cited as universal, fixed biological values. This review demonstrates that LOAD heritability estimates depend heavily on methodological frameworks and specific population contexts.
Limits
All included studies were restricted to European ancestry populations, limiting generalizability to other ancestries. The abstract provides no quantitative metrics or pooled estimates, and the review combines fundamentally distinct study designs (twin studies and GWAS).
Cited by
- contradicts Only about 10% to 15% of the risk for chronic disease is genetic, while 85% to 90% is determined by environmental and lifestyle factors.