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Effect of APOE genotype on amyloid deposition, brain volume, and memory in cognitively normal older individuals
Journal article   Peer reviewed

Effect of APOE genotype on amyloid deposition, brain volume, and memory in cognitively normal older individuals

Y.Y. Lim, R. Williamson, S.M. Laws, V.L. Villemagne, P. Bourgeat, C. Fowler, S. Rainey-Smith, O. Salvado, R.N. Martins, C.C. Rowe, …
Journal of Alzheimer's disease : JAD, Vol.58(4), pp.1293-1302
2017
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Abstract

Background: The association between the apolipoprotein E (APOE) ε4 allele and high risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease (AD) dementia before the age of 80 has been recognized for over 30 years. However, the timing and mode of action of APOE is not understood, nor has there been a detailed analysis of the effect of APOE genotype on memory function, hippocampal volume and Aβ levels in cognitively normal individuals. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study of 989 cognitively normal older adults enrolled in the Australian Imaging, Biomarkers and Lifestyle (AIBL) study, all of whom underwent APOE genotyping and memory assessment. A subset of this group underwent PET neuroimaging for Aβ (n=585) and magnetic resonance imaging for hippocampal volume (n=303). Results: APOE ε4 homozygotes (ε4/ε4) showed significantly worse episodic memory and higher Aβ levels than ε4 heterozygotes. The relationship between increasing Aβ levels and worse episodic memory was significant for ε3 homozygotes (ε3/ε3), ε4 heterozygotes, and strongest for ε4 homozygotes. There were no differences in hippocampal volume between APOE groups; the relationship between smaller hippocampal volume and worse episodic memory was significant only for ε4 homozygotes. Conclusion: APOE acts in a co-dominant fashion on Aβ levels, episodic memory and hippocampal volume in cognitively normal older adults. APOE ε4 is central to the events that lead to Alzheimer’s disease in cognitively normal older adults, likely through a quantitative role in the disruption of Aβ clearance.

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Citation topics
1 Clinical & Life Sciences
1.52 Neurodegenerative Diseases
1.52.60 Dementia
Web Of Science research areas
Neurosciences
ESI research areas
Neuroscience & Behavior
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