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Updated: Jul 3, 2026

Generalized Psychophysiological Interaction (PPI) Analysis of Memory Related Connectivity in Individuals at Genetic Risk for Alzheimer's Disease
09:38

Generalized Psychophysiological Interaction (PPI) Analysis of Memory Related Connectivity in Individuals at Genetic Risk for Alzheimer's Disease

Published on: November 14, 2017

The association between APOE genotype and memory dysfunction in subjects with mild cognitive impairment is related to

I H G B Ramakers1, P J Visser, P Aalten

  • 1Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, Institute of Brain and Behaviour, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands.

Dementia and Geriatric Cognitive Disorders
|July 12, 2008
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

The apolipoprotein E (APOE) epsilon4 allele impairs memory in mild cognitive impairment (MCI) patients, affecting different functions based on age. This effect in older adults may depend on Alzheimer disease (AD) pathology.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Genetics
  • Gerontology

Background:

  • Memory decline is a key symptom of mild cognitive impairment (MCI).
  • The apolipoprotein E (APOE) epsilon4 allele is a known genetic risk factor for cognitive decline.
  • The influence of APOE genotype on memory in MCI may vary with age and Alzheimer disease (AD) pathology.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the relationship between APOE genotype and memory function in individuals with MCI.
  • To determine if age and underlying AD pathology modify the effect of APOE epsilon4 on memory in MCI patients.

Main Methods:

  • 180 subjects with MCI were recruited from a memory clinic.
  • 83 subjects carrying at least one APOE epsilon4 allele were compared to non-carriers on memory tests.
  • Longitudinal reassessment over 5-10 years identified subjects who developed AD.

Main Results:

  • In middle-aged MCI patients, APOE epsilon4 was linked to reduced subjective organization.
  • In older MCI patients, APOE epsilon4 was associated with decreased delayed recall.
  • Excluding subjects with incipient AD showed similar results in the middle-aged group, but the association was lost in the older group.

Conclusions:

  • APOE epsilon4 is associated with memory impairment in both middle-aged and older adults with MCI.
  • The specific memory function affected by APOE epsilon4 differs between age groups.
  • The impact of APOE epsilon4 on memory in older MCI patients may be influenced by AD pathology, unlike in middle-aged patients.

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