Origin of a Gene Mutation Causing Early-Onset Alzheimer’s Disease

Resource Type
Description
This activity analyzes a published scientific figure from a study of a family that has a high prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease.
A rare form of familial Alzheimer’s disease, which is caused by a mutation in the presenilin-1 gene (PSEN1), is highly prevalent in some parts of Antioquia, Colombia. To understand the origin of this mutation in these populations, scientists studied the family histories and DNA sequences of people affected by the disease. The figure is a pedigree of a large extended family with a high prevalence of Alzheimer’s. Black circles (female) and black squares (male) indicate individuals affected by the disease. Half-shaded shapes indicate individuals with an uncertain disease status. White shapes indicate unaffected individuals. Shapes with a line through them indicate that the family member is deceased. The “Educator Materials” document includes a captioned figure, background information, graph interpretation, and discussion questions. The “Student Handout” includes a captioned figure and background information.
Student Learning Targets
- Analyze and interpret data from a scientific figure.
- Interpret a pedigree chart showing an example of autosomal dominant inheritance.
Estimated Time
Key Terms
ancestry, autosomal dominance, genealogy, pedigree chart, presenilin-1 (PSEN1)
Primary Literature
Lalli, Matthew A., Hannah C. Cox, Mary L. Arcila, Liliana Cadavid, Sonia Moreno, Gloria Garcia, Lucia Madrigal, et al. ”Origin of the PSEN1 E280A Mutation Causing Early-Onset Alzheimer’s Disease.” Alzheimers Dement 10, 0 (2014): S277–S283.e10. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jalz.2013.09.005.
Terms of Use
Please see the Terms of Use for information on how this resource can be used.
Accessibility Level (WCAG compliance)
Version History
NGSS (2013)
HS-LS3-3; SEP2, SEP4, SEP5
AP Biology (2019)
IST-1.I, IST-1.J; SP1, SP4
IB Biology (2016)
3.4
AP Environmental Science (2013)
III.B
Common Core (2010)
ELA.RST.9-12.7
Math.S-ID.3, Math.S-IC.1; MP2, MP5
Vision and Change (2009)
CC1, CC3; DP2, DP3