Effect of apolipoprotein E status on clinical features of dementia.
OBJECTIVE
The aims of this study were (a) to determine the frequency of APOE genotypes in dementia, (b) to relate e4 allele frequency to clinical symptomatology of dementia and (c) to relate e4 and assess risk factors for different types of dementia.


METHODS
Prospective clinical study setting older patients with dementia known to a community-based old age psychiatry service.


METHODS
101 patients fulfilling ICD 10 criteria for dementia.


RESULTS
Replication of previous findings of an association between APOE4 and Alzheimer's disease: younger age of onset of dementia; family history of dementia; persecutory ideation; and (retrospectively determined) rate of competent decline. No association was found between APOE4 and vascular dementia. The association between APOE4 and 'mixed dementia' was intermediate between that of pure Alzheimer's disease and pure vascular dementia.


CONCLUSIONS
The results confirm the relationship between clinical features of dementia and APOE4 status. It may be that APOE can be used as an adjunct to clinical diagnosis.
Burlinson
S
S
University of Manchester, Withington Hospital, Manchester, UK.
Burns
A
A
Mann
D
D
Pickering-Brown
S
S
Owen
F
F
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001057:Apolipoproteins E / Q000235:genetics*; D003704:Dementia / Q000235:genetics* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D005819:Genetic Markers; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors
D001057:Apolipoproteins E; D005819:Genetic Markers