Gaining Insights into Alzheimer's Disease through Pedigree Analysis in a Bangladeshi Context

Abstract

Introduction: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a prevalent and irreversible neurodegenerative condition, ranking as the seventh leading cause of global mortality. This complex ailment encompasses various clinical and imaging-based classifications. Nonetheless, the use of pedigree analysis offers an additional layer of insight by delineating inheritance patterns, thus categorizing AD into familial and sporadic types. This study sought to determine the prevalence and characterization of different AD types through pedigree analysis, while also examining the age at which the disease manifests.
Methods: Conducted within the Department of Anatomy at BMU, this cross-sectional descriptive investigation encompassed thirty-seven patients, selected through rigorous sample size calculations and meeting specific inclusion and exclusion criteria under the oversight of a registered Neurologist from the Department of Neurology at BMU. Pedigrees were meticulously constructed following international pedigree drawing guidelines, employing the Genetic pedigree chart creation software, f-tree (version 4.1.0). 
Results: Among the 37 clinically diagnosed AD patients, 27% (10) exhibited familial AD, while the remaining 73% (27) presented as sporadic AD cases. Within the familial AD group, 70% (7) suffered from Early-Onset Alzheimer's Disease (EOAD), and 30% (3) had Late-Onset Alzheimer's Disease (LOAD). Conversely, of the sporadic AD cases, 14.81% (4) were EOAD, while the 
vast majority, 85.19% (23), were LOAD.

Conclusions: This research demonstrates that pedigree analysis offers valuable insights into the classification of AD types, improving genetic counseling, enabling early diagnosis, enhancing disease management, and prognosis. These findings could ultimately alleviate the burden on affected families and the healthcare system as a whole.

J Shaheed Suhrawardy Med Coll 2025; 17(1): 55-60