Apolipoprotein E, Executive Function, and Falls across Cognitive Status: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Gerontology
• Public Health

Background:

• Falls are a major public health concern in older adults.
• Executive function (EF) impairment is a known risk factor for falls.
• The role of Apolipoprotein E4 (ApoE4) in the EF-falls relationship is not well understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the moderating effect of ApoE4 on the relationship between EF and falls.
• To examine this relationship across different cognitive statuses: unimpaired cognition, mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and Alzheimer's disease (AD) dementia.

Main Methods:

• Cross-sectional analysis of 486 participants from the Arizona Study of% Aging and Neurodegenerative Disorders.
• EF assessed via a composite latent variable (Trail Making Test, Stroop Interference, Digit Span, Clock Drawing, verbal fluency).
• ApoE genotypes determined; logistic regression used to analyze fall history and future falls.

Main Results:

• ApoE4 did not significantly moderate the EF-falls relationship.
• EF was associated with fall history in individuals with unimpaired cognition and MCI, but not AD dementia.
• Covariates like Parkinson's scale elements, medical conditions, and depression were associated with fall history; medical conditions and fall history with future falls.

Conclusions:

• ApoE4 does not alter the association between EF and falls.
• The influence of EF on falls is dependent on an individual's cognitive status.