No evidence of association between frontotemporal dementia and major European mtDNA haplogroups

Abstract

Background and purpose: Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) inherited variability (haplogroup/sub-haplogroup) is currently emerging as not being neutral with respect to several complex traits like neurodegenerative diseases. Here we investigated the association of European mtDNA haplogroups/sub-haplogroups with frontotemporal dementia (FTD). Method and Results: A case-control study was carried out on 114 patients with FTD (68 sporadic and 46 familial) and 180 controls, matched for age, gender and ethnicity. No association was found. Conclusions: European mtDNA haplogroups/sub-haplogroups are unlikely to play a major role in the risk of developing the disease. © 2008 The Author(s).