Background: Many studies support the hypothesis that brain glucose dysregulation contributes to neurodegeneration and disease progression. The SLC2A3 gene encodes the Neuronal Glucose Transporter 3 (GLUT3), a critical molecule for glucose transport into the neuron. The GLUT3 rs12842 polymorphism has been associated with an increased risk for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Epidemiological and genetic studies have reported a link between antecedent ADHD and Alzheimer's disease (AD), as both share a dysregulation of brain glucose.
Aim: This study aimed to explore the possible correlation of the SLC2A3 rs12842 polymorphism with susceptibility towards AD.
Methods: We genotyped 327 patients with AD and 327 controls for the GLUT3 rs12842. Results: Rs12842 was associated with a decreased risk of developing AD in the co-dominant [Odds Ratio (OR) (95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.67 (0.45-0.99)), p = 0.039], dominant [OR (95% CI) = 0.64 (0.44-0.93), p = 0.019] and log-additive modes [OR (95% CI) = 0.65 (0.46-0.91), p = 0.012].
Conclusions: Our results suggest a significant, inverse association between SLC2A3 rs12842 and the risk of AD.
Keywords: AD; SLC2A3; genetics; polymorphism; rs12842 SNPs.