Testing influences of APOE and BDNF genes and heart failure on cognitive function

Apolipoprotein E (APOE) ε2, ε4 and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) Val66Met alleles have been associated with cognition. Associations of these alleles with cognition in heart failure (HF) and influences of HF across the cognitive spectrum (i.e., cognitively normal to Alzheimer's dementia [AD]) remain unexplored.

To investigate influences of APOE ε2, ε4, BDNF Met and HF on cognition among participants across the cognitive spectrum.

Genetic association study using national databases (N = 7,166).

APOE ε2 frequencies were similar across the cognitive spectrum among participants with HF. APOE ε4 frequency was lower among participants with HF and AD than non-HF participants with AD. BDNF Met frequencies did not differ across the spectrum. HF was associated with worse attention and language. In the HF subsample, ε4 was associated with worse memory.

Associations between APOE and cognition may differ in HF but need to be tested in a larger sample.