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Apolipoprotein E e4 allele in the normal elderly: neuropsychologic and brain MRI correlates
H Schmidt1, R Schmidt, F Fazekas
1Institute of Medical Biochemistry, Karl-Franzens University Graz, Austria.
Clinical Genetics
|November 1, 1996
Summary
The apolipoprotein E e4 allele is linked to subtle learning and memory deficits in healthy older adults, suggesting it may mark accelerated cognitive aging. This genetic factor was not associated with observable brain changes via MRI in this study.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Genetics
- Gerontology
Background:
- The apolipoprotein E e4 allele is a known risk factor for Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia.
- Investigating its impact on cognitive function and brain structure in healthy elderly individuals is crucial for understanding early aging processes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if elderly individuals with the apolipoprotein E e4 allele exhibit subclinical cognitive changes.
- To assess if the e4 allele is associated with increased brain atrophy or silent ischemic damage in normal aging.
Main Methods:
- Neuropsychological testing and brain Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) were employed.
- 214 healthy individuals aged 50-75 were categorized into e4 allele carriers (39) and non-carriers (175).
- Cognitive performance and MRI-derived brain metrics were compared between groups.
Main Results:
- Apolipoprotein E e4 carriers showed significantly poorer performance in learning and memory tasks compared to non-carriers.
- No significant differences were found in conceptualization, attention, processing speed, or visuopractical skills.
- MRI revealed no significant differences in infarcts, white matter hyperintensities, or brain atrophy (sulcal/ventricular widening, hippocampal volumes) between the groups.
Conclusions:
- The apolipoprotein E e4 allele is associated with subtle deficits in learning and memory in normal elderly individuals.
- It may serve as a marker for accelerated cognitive aging.
- In this cohort, the e4 allele was not linked to detectable MRI-defined brain structural changes.