What you carry at this position in your DNA and what research says about it.
Alzheimer's Disease Risk: 6/10 evidence, 38 publications.
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Sample genotype (not yours): T/T
Lower Risk of Alzheimer's Disease
Protection against late-onset Alzheimer's is associated with this genotype. It is also linked to healthier brain structure and better cognitive preservation during aging.
What this genotype means: Reduced risk of late-onset Alzheimer's disease; Better preservation of brain white matter integrity; Slower age-related cognitive decline.
Sample genotype (not yours): C/C
Typical Risk of Alzheimer's Disease
Typical baseline risk for late-onset Alzheimer's is associated with this genotype. It is linked to standard brain structure and cognitive aging patterns.
What this genotype means: Typical baseline risk of late-onset Alzheimer's disease; Standard brain white matter integrity; Typical age-related cognitive decline.
Sample genotype (not yours): T/C
Reduced risk of late-onset Alzheimer's is associated with this genotype. It also supports healthier brain structure and cognitive preservation.
Gene function and biological role
Gene Function: The CLU gene encodes clusterin, also known as apolipoprotein J, which acts as a molecular chaperone in the brain [1]. It plays a critical role in clearing amyloid-beta peptides, preventing their aggregation into toxic plaques [1]. Clusterin is also involved in lipid transport, cell survival, and regulating programmed cell death [2]. Variations in this gene can alter how clusterin interacts with other key brain proteins, such as Tau and bridging integrator 1 [3]. Consequently, clusterin is considered one of the most significant genetic risk factors for late-onset Alzheimer's disease [1].
Variant Impact: The rs11136000 variant is an intron variant located within the CLU gene on chromosome 8 [1]. This genetic change influences the expression levels of clusterin in different brain tissues, particularly under pathological conditions [4]. Research indicates that the protective version of this variant helps maintain the integrity of myelin, the protective sheath surrounding brain cells [5]. It also affects neural activation patterns and cognitive performance during aging [6].
Key Insight: Carrying the protective T allele is linked to healthier brain white matter structure and myelin integrity decades before any symptoms of cognitive decline would typically appear.
Location: CLU. Chromosome 8 · 8p21.1 · 27.6 Mb
Estimated prevalence by population
Global 19.2%; European 15.8%; African 30.9%; East Asian 5.0%; South Asian 8.8%; Americas 13.2%; Ashkenazi 18.2%; Finnish 16.5%; Middle Eastern 15.8%; Amish 13.8%.
Estimated TT genotype frequency.
Global 47.5%; European 47.9%; African 49.4%; East Asian 34.8%; South Asian 41.8%; Americas 46.3%; Ashkenazi 48.9%; Finnish 48.2%; Middle Eastern 47.9%; Amish 46.7%.
Estimated TC genotype frequency.
Global 33.2%; European 36.3%; African 19.7%; East Asian 60.2%; South Asian 49.4%; Americas 40.4%; Ashkenazi 32.9%; Finnish 35.2%; Middle Eastern 36.2%; Amish 39.5%.
Estimated CC genotype frequency.
Showing effects for T/T genotype
Neurology & Mental Health
Neurodegenerative Diseases
Alzheimer's Disease. Evidence: 6/10. Source: PMID 19734903. ~16% Lower Risk.
Dementia. Evidence: 4/10. Source: PMID 39046104. Lower Risk.
Neurodevelopmental Traits
Brain Structure. Evidence: 3/10. Source: PMID 22795969. Typical Integrity.
Cognitive Performance
Cognitive Decline. Evidence: 4/10. Source: PMID 20739100. Better Preservation.
Showing effects for C/C genotype
Alzheimer's Disease. Evidence: 6/10. Source: PMID 19734903. Typical Risk.
Dementia. Evidence: 4/10. Source: PMID 39046104. Typical Risk.
Brain Structure. Evidence: 3/10. Source: PMID 22795969. Lower Integrity.
Cognitive Decline. Evidence: 4/10. Source: PMID 20739100. Typical Decline.
Showing effects for T/C genotype
What this genotype means for the people who carry it
Sample genotype: TT (Homozygous)
A protective advantage against late-onset Alzheimer's disease is associated with this genotype [1]. Large-scale genetic studies show that carriers of this genotype have an estimated 16% lower risk of developing the condition compared to those with the typical genotype [2]. This protective effect is thought to stem from how the variant regulates clusterin protein levels in the brain, helping clear toxic amyloid-beta plaques [3]. Brain imaging studies of healthy adults show that this genotype is associated with stronger myelin integrity and healthier white matter tracts [4]. Additionally, older adults with this genetic profile tend to maintain better cognitive performance and memory function over time [5].
Reduced risk of late-onset Alzheimer's disease; Better preservation of brain white matter integrity; Slower age-related cognitive decline.
Sample genotype: CC (Homozygous)
The standard genetic baseline for late-onset Alzheimer's disease risk is represented by this genotype [1]. Unlike carriers of the protective T allele, individuals with this genotype do not receive the slight risk reduction associated with the variant [2]. This genotype is associated with typical clusterin expression levels, which influence how the brain clears amyloid-beta plaques over time [3]. Brain imaging studies suggest that the C allele is linked to slightly lower white matter integrity and myelin strength compared to T allele carriers [4]. This structural difference may make the brain slightly more vulnerable to typical age-related cognitive decline [5].
Typical baseline risk of late-onset Alzheimer's disease; Standard brain white matter integrity; Typical age-related cognitive decline.
Sample genotype: TC (Heterozygous)
A significant reduction in the risk of late-onset Alzheimer's disease is linked to this genotype [1]. Research indicates that having even a single T allele lowers the likelihood of developing the disease by approximately 16% compared to the common genotype [2]. This genetic variation influences clusterin expression, which plays a vital role in clearing amyloid-beta plaques from brain tissue [3]. Neuroimaging reveals that individuals with this genotype exhibit better white matter tract integrity and healthier myelin sheaths [4]. These structural benefits translate to better cognitive resilience and memory preservation during the aging process [5].
Variants with shared genetic architecture
rs9331896 · CLU Gene · Chr 8 · Alzheimer's Disease Risk
rs1532278 · CLU Gene · Chr 8 · Dementia and Alzheimer Risk
rs2279590 · CLU Gene · Chr 8 · Alzheimer Disease
Novel late-onset Alzheimer disease loci variants associate with brain gene expression.
Alzheimer risk variant CLU and brain function during aging.
Content updated August 2026.
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