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Depression and dementia in relation to apolipoprotein E polymorphism in a population sample age 75+
Y Forsell1, E H Corder, H Basun
1Stockholm Gerontology Research Center, Sweden.
Biological Psychiatry
|November 14, 1997
Summary
This study found that while dementia risk increases with apolipoprotein E (APOE) gene variants, depression is linked to dementia, not directly to APOE polymorphism in older adults.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Genetics
- Gerontology
Background:
- Dementia and depression are prevalent in older adults.
- Apolipoprotein E (APOE) polymorphism, particularly the epsilon 4 allele, is a known risk factor for dementia.
- The relationship between APOE polymorphism, dementia, and depression requires further clarification.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the co-occurrence of depression and dementia.
- To examine the association of apolipoprotein E (APOE) polymorphism with dementia and depression in elderly individuals.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study of 806 individuals aged 78 years and older.
- Clinical examination by physicians.
- DNA extraction from white blood cells for APOE genotyping using microsequencing.
Main Results:
- Prevalence of dementia was 22.8%, increasing with the number of APOE epsilon 4 alleles.
- Depression occurred in 11.4% of demented subjects versus 3.5% of non-demented subjects.
- Depression was not significantly associated with APOE polymorphism, despite its link to dementia.
Conclusions:
- Dementia prevalence and severity are associated with APOE polymorphism.
- Depression is overrepresented in individuals with dementia.
- There is no direct association found between APOE polymorphism and depression in this elderly cohort.