Title
Apolipoprotein e4 allele and cognitive decline in elderly men
Author
Feskens, E.J.M.
Havekes, L.M.
Kalmijn, S.
de Knijff, P.
Launer, L.J.
Kromhout, D.
TNO Preventie en Gezondheid
Publication year
1994
Abstract
Objectives - To determine whether polymorphism of apolipoprotein E - notably, the e4 allele - predicts cognitive deterioration in the general population. Design - Population based cohort investigated in 1990 and in 1993. Setting - Zutphen, the Netherlands. Subjects - Representative cohort of 538 Dutch men aged 70-89 at baseline. Main outcome measures - Cognitive function assessed by mini mental state examination, change in cognitive function and incidence of impaired cognitive function at three years. Results - The baseline prevalence of impaired cognitive function (mini mental state examination score ≤ 25) was higher among carriers of the e4 allele compared with men without the allele (41.0% (55) v 31.1% (122) P = 0.03), and this result was still valid after adjustment for age, occupation, smoking, alcohol use, and cardiovascular diseases. The decline in cognitive function at three years was largest in men homozygous for e4 (-2.4 points), intermediate in those heterozygous for e4 (-0.7 points), and lowest in men without e4 (-0.1 points), and it was independent of other risk factors (P = 0.02). The risk of developing impaired cognitive function during follow up was significantly increased in allele carriers compared with non-carriers (27.6% (16/58) v 15.5% (32/207)). The adjusted odds ratio was 2.87 (95% confidence interval 1.29 to 6.42). Twenty two per cent of the risk of developing impaired cognitive function in this population may be attributable to the e4 allele. Conclusions - The apolipoprotein e4 allele predisposes to cognitive decline in a general population of elderly men.
Subject
Biology
cognition
cognitive defect
disease predisposition
follow up
mental health
phenotype
prediction
priority journal
protein polymorphism
risk factor
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Alleles
Apolipoproteins E
Cognition Disorders
Cohort Studies
Human
Incidence
Male
Netherlands
Odds Ratio
Polymorphism (Genetics)
Prevalence
Risk Factors
Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
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http://resolver.tudelft.nl/uuid:2507d95b-3818-4e98-9f26-87b277628b60
TNO identifier
280577
ISSN
0959-8146
Source
British Medical Journal, 309 (6963), 1202-1206
Document type
article