Apolipoprotein E phenotype is not related to late-life depression in a population-based sample.
Apolipoprotein E (ApoE) allele frequencies were examined in a population-based sample (n = 475: age range 65-84 years: Amsterdam Study of the Elderly). The relation of ApoE epsilon 4 with dementia and with various types of late-life depression was studied. Depression was measured with the Geriatric Mental State schedule. Dementia was diagnosed by DSM-III-R criteria. It was expected that ApoE epsilon 4 allele frequencies would be elevated not only in Alzheimer's disease and dementia in general, but also in first episode, late-life depression accompanied by subtle cognitive impairment (possibly organic depression). However, the results indicated that epsilon 4 allele frequency is related to (family history of) dementia and cognitive impairment, but not to possibly organic depression. The main predictor of late-life depression is an episode of psychiatric problems before the age of 65 years.
Schmand
B
B
Department of Psychiatry, Free University, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Hooijer
C
C
Jonker
C
C
Lindeboom
J
J
Havekes
L M
LM
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000483:Alleles; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001054:Apolipoproteins A / Q000235:genetics*; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003863:Depression / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D005828:Genetics, Population; D006801:Humans; D016013:Likelihood Functions; D008297:Male; D009426:Netherlands; D010641:Phenotype; D012044:Regression Analysis
D001054:Apolipoproteins A