APOE genotype and hippocampal volume change in geriatric depression.
BACKGROUND
Apolipoprotein E has been associated with hippocampal volume loss in Alzheimer's disease and in elderly controls. In this study, we examined the role of apolipoprotein E and hippocampal volume change in 45 older nondemented depressed subjects. All had baseline and 2-year magnetic resonance imaging scans.


METHODS
Hippocampal volumes were determined using a semiautomated method.


RESULTS
Compared with 36 depressed subjects without an apolipoprotein E epsilon4 allele, 9 subjects with at least one APOE epsilon4 allele showed significant decline in hippocampal volume, particularly in the right hippocampus. In a logistic model, percent change in right hippocampal volume remained associated with presence of an APOE epsilon4 allele after controlling for age, gender, Mini-Mental State Examination score, and baseline total cerebral volume.


CONCLUSIONS
Future studies are needed to explain this association and to determine whether the finding for the right hippocampus has a biological basis, or if it is merely a function of small sample size.
Kim
Do Hoon
DH
Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Durham, North Carolina 27710, USA.
Payne
Martha E
ME
Levy
Robert M
RM
MacFall
James R
JR
Steffens
David C
DC
D000368:Aged; D000483:Alleles; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics; D053327:Apolipoprotein E4; D001057:Apolipoproteins E / Q000235:genetics*; D001284:Atrophy; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D006580:Genetic Carrier Screening; D005838:Genotype; D006624:Hippocampus / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008609:Mental Status Schedule
D053327:Apolipoprotein E4; D001057:Apolipoproteins E