This has led to the hypothesis that atherosclerosis and AD are convergent disease processes [54], with some common pathophysiological and aetiologic factors (APOE e4 polymorphism, hypercholesterolaemia, hypertension, hyperhomocysteinaemia, diabetes, metabolic syndrome, smoking, systemic inflammation, increased fat intake and obesity). The gene discussed is APOE; the disease is hypertensive disorder.