Physical activity and cognitive decline, the role of the apolipoprotein e4 allele.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between level of physical activity and risk of cognitive decline at older age and its variation across carriers and noncarriers of the apolipoprotein e4 allele.


METHODS
The association was studied in a cohort of 347 elderly Dutch men. Mean age of the study subjects was 74.6 +/- 4.3 yr in 1990. Physical activity was categorized in "maximal 1 h per day" versus "more than 1 h per day." Cognitive decline was defined as a drop MMSE score > 3 points between 1990 and 1993.


RESULTS
After adjusting for age, education, alcohol consumption, smoking and cognitive functioning at baseline, subjects with maximal 1 h of physical activity per day had a two-fold increased risk of cognitive decline (OR 2.0, 95% CI: 0.9-4.8) as compared with the rest. Risk of cognitive decline was particularly strong in carriers of the APOE*4 allele (adjusted OR 3.7, 95% CI: 1.1-12.6).


CONCLUSIONS
The authors conclude that promotion of physical activity at older age may reduce the risk of cognitive decline. The existence of subgroups with a particularly high risk may have important implications for prevention strategies.
Schuit
A J
AJ
The National Institute of Public Health and the Environment, 3720 BA Bilthoven, The Netherlands. Jantine.Schuit@rivm.nl
Feskens
E J
EJ
Launer
L J
LJ
Kromhout
D
D
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D053327:Apolipoprotein E4; D001057:Apolipoproteins E / Q000235:genetics* / Q000494:pharmacology; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000235:genetics / Q000503:physiopathology*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D015444:Exercise; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012307:Risk Factors
D053327:Apolipoprotein E4; D001057:Apolipoproteins E