Cognitive functions, lipid profile, and Apolipoprotein E gene polymorphism in postmenopausal women

The objective of the study was investigation of the relationship between cognitive functions and lipid profile, BMI and change of body weight in postmenopausal women carriers of Apolipoprotein E gene polymorphisms (APOE). A group of 170 women was recruited to the study. The inclusion criteria were: minimum of two years after the last menstruation, FSH concentration 30 U/ml and no signs of dementia on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA). A computerized battery of Central Nervous System Vital Signs (CNS VS) was used for diagnostic cognitive functions. APOE genotype was performed by multiplex PCR. In blood plasma were determined: triglycerides, total cholesterol and its fractions: HDL cholesterol and LDL cholesterol. Statistical analysis was performed using two-way analysis of variance in STATISTICA software. In the postmenopausal women examined, the carrier state of APOE gene polymorphism was associated with the level of triglycerides, and results concerning three cognitive functions: executive functions, psychomotor speed, and cognitive flexibility. Loss of body weight in postmenopausal women was related with lower results in neurocognitive index and the majority of cognitive functions. The results concerning cognitive functions in postmenopausal women in the study were not significantly related with lipid profile. Significant differences were observed according to APOE gene polymorphism in correlations between LDL/HDL and CHOL/HDL ratios, and results in the processing speed and reaction time, as well as between the BMI and results in processing speed in the postmenopausal women examined.