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Psychotic symptoms and apolipoprotein E genotypes in an elderly population
Y Forsell1, H Basun, E H Corder
1Stockholm Gerontology Research Center, Sweden.
Biological Psychiatry
|July 1, 1998
Summary
Psychotic symptoms are common in elderly individuals with dementia. This study found no significant link between apolipoprotein E (APOE) genotype and psychotic symptoms in demented or non-demented elderly persons.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Neuroscience
- Genetics
Background:
- Psychotic symptoms are more prevalent in elderly individuals with dementia.
- Apolipoprotein E (APOE) gene variations are linked to Alzheimer's dementia risk.
- This study investigates factors associated with psychotic symptoms in elderly individuals, including APOE genotype.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the association between apolipoprotein E (APOE) genotype and psychotic symptoms in elderly individuals.
- To identify other variables associated with psychotic symptoms in both demented and non-demented elderly populations.
Main Methods:
- A population of 668 elderly individuals was assessed.
- APOE genotype data was obtained for 309 participants.
Main Results:
- Psychotic symptoms were associated with dementia, prior psychiatric history, female gender, lower education, daily living disability, and institutionalization.
- In non-demented individuals, psychotic symptoms occurred equally in those with and without the APOE epsilon 4 allele.
- In demented individuals, psychotic symptoms were slightly more common in those without the APOE epsilon 4 genotype, though this was not statistically significant.
Conclusions:
- No statistically significant difference in APOE genotype was observed between subjects with and without psychotic symptoms when stratified by dementia diagnosis.