The ε4 allele of the apolipoprotein E gene (APOE) has been associated with an increased risk of developing Alzheimer's disease (AD; refs 1,2). However, it is apparent that the APOEε4 allele alone is neither necessary nor sufficient to cause the disease3–5. We have recently found three new polymorphisms within the APOftranscriptional regulatory region (M.J.A. et al., manuscript submitted) and now establish an association between one of these polymorphisms (−491A/T) and dementia as observed in Alzheimer's disease, in two independent clinical populations. The results suggest that homozygosity of a common variant (−491 A) is associated with increased risk for AD, and that this association is independent of APOEs4 status. In vitro studies suggest that the −491 A/T polymorphism may increase risk for AD by altering the level of ApoE protein expression.