Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 30, 2026
Preparation of Acute Hippocampal Slices from Rats and Transgenic Mice for the Study of Synaptic Alterations during Aging and Amyloid Pathology
Published on: March 23, 2011
Apolipoprotein E gene in physiological and pathological aging
E Ferri1, C Gussago2, M Casati1
1Geriatric Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Via Pace 9, 20122 Milan, Italy.
Introduction:
The genetic background plays a role on longevity. The distribution of the apolipoprotein E gene (APOE) variants (ε2, ε3, ε4) may differ across age groups, especially in the oldest old and despite geographical and ethnic specificities. Since the ε4 variant is associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD), it might represent an opportunity for exploring the relationship of APOE with physiological and pathological aging.
Aim:
To explore the role played by APOE genotype/alleles on physiological and pathological brain aging.
Materials And Methods:
The study was conducted in a cohort of centenarians (n = 106), and two cohorts of octogenarians (without cognitive decline, n = 351 controls; and with AD, n = 294).
Results:
No significant differences in genotype/allele distributions were observed comparing controls to centenarians. The prevalence of ε2/ε3, ε3/ε3, ε3/ε4 and ε4/ε4 genotypes were significantly different in centenarians compared to AD. The prevalence of ε2 and ε3 alleles were significantly higher in centenarians, whereas the ε4 was less frequent. The ε4 allele was positively associated with AD, whereas a negative association was found for ε2 and ε3 alleles.
Conclusions:
Our study indicates that ε4 allele is strongly associated with AD. APOE significantly affects AD risk, but apparently not longevity.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:26Aging
Cellular Clock Theory
The cellular clock theory posits that the human lifespan is closely tied to the finite capacity of cells to divide, a phenomenon governed by telomeres, which are protective caps at the ends of...
01:19The Effect of Aging on Tissues
01:25Physiological Barriers
The blood endothelial barrier is the most porous of these. It allows all small ionized, un-ionized, and lipophilic molecules to pass through the endothelial lining into the interstitial space...
01:24The Physiology of Taste
01:30Liver Physiology
Metabolic Regulation:
The liver is the central organ involved in regulating blood composition. It stabilizes blood glucose levels, maintaining them within the range of 70–110 mg/dL. When these levels drop, the liver breaks down glycogen reserves and releases glucose into the bloodstream. It can...
01:20Physiology of Emotion
Autonomic Nervous System
The autonomic nervous system (ANS) plays a critical role in emotional responses by regulating involuntary physiological functions. It consists of two main components: the sympathetic and parasympathetic systems. The sympathetic system...