APOE genotype predicts depression in women with Alzheimer's disease: a retrospective study

The association between the APOE epsilon4 allele and depression was investigated in a retrospective study of 323 AD patients.

Patients were divided into demographically comparable groups based on the presence or absence of depression.

Results showed that the frequency of APOE epsilon4 allele was significantly higher in the depressed vs non-depressed AD patients (72% and 58%, respectively), and an interaction revealed that women possessing the APOE epsilon4 allele were almost four times more likely to be depressed than those without the epsilon4 allele.

Results are consistent with recent suggestions that the APOE epsilon4 genotype may be over-represented among depressed women with AD and highlight the need for additional research investigating the links between APOE genotype, mood, and gender.