Association study of COX-2 (PTGS2) –765 G/C promoter polymorphism by pyrosequencing in Sicilian patients with Alzheimer's disease

INTRODUCTION: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized by progression of memory problems to a slow global decline of cognitive function. Inflammation when left unregulated becomes a major cofactor in the pathogenesis of AD. PTGS2 is of crucial relevance in the inflammatory response, and it has been shown to play a considerable role in AD pathogenesis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: To assess the possible putative role of a PTGS2 polymorphism (–765 G/C) in AD patients, we examined, by pyrosequencing, its distribution in 84 Sicilian AD patients and in 80 controls. RESULTS: No significant statistical difference in PTGS2 –765 G/C genotype distribution was found comparing patients with AD and controls. In addition, no significant difference was observed in the distribution of the PTGS2 –765 alleles between AD patients and controls. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that the PTGS2 –765 G/C polymorphism may not be associated with AD in the Sicilian population.