The recycling of the amyloid precursor protein (APP) from the cell surface via the endocytic pathways plays a key role in the generation of amyloid β-peptide (Aβ) in Alzheimer's Disease (AD). We report here that inherited variants in the SORL1 neuronal sorting receptor are associated with late-onset AD. These variants, which occur in at least two different clusters of intronic sequences may regulate tissue-specific expression of SORL1. We also show that SORL1 directs trafficking of APP into recycling pathways, and that when SORL1 is under-expressed, APP is sorted into Aβ-generating compartments. These data suggest that inherited or acquired changes in SORL1 expression or function are mechanistically involved in causing AD.

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