RÉSUMÉ
Objective To investigate the role of interleukin-18 (IL-18) gene promoter polymorphisms in the susceptibility of sporadic Alzheimer's disease (SAD). Methods A total of 109 patients with SAD and 109 healthy controls matched for age and gender were enrolled in our study with case-control method. Polymerase chain reaction with sequence specific primer was used to detect the single nucleotide polymorphisms (C/A) of gene promoter of IL-18 at position -607. Results Significant differences in the C/A genotype and allele distributions of IL-18 promoter at position -607 were noted between patients with SAD and controls (P=0.041 and P=0.021, respectively). The CC genotype frequency of gene promoter of IL-18 at position -607 in patients with SAD was significantly higher than that in healthy controls (x2=4.109, P=0.043); and the people with this genotype had a 1.90-fold increased risk as compared with the people with other genotypes (OR=1.90, 95%CI: 1.017-3.550).Conclusion The C/A polymorphisms of IL-18 gene promoter at position -607 are correlated with SAD in Han Chinese population. People with -607CC in IL-18 gene promoter have an increased risk of SAD.