Apolipoprotein E and cognitive performance: a meta-analysis.
The epsilon4 allele of the apolipoprotein E (APOE) gene is a known risk factor for Alzheimer's disease and may also affect cognitive performance in normal aging. Evidence of the presence and magnitude of epsilon4-related cognitive deficits was examined with a meta-analysis of the available literature. Thirty-eight studies were included, and cognitive performance was collapsed into 8 domains. Results indicated significant APOE-epsilon4 group differences for global cognitive functioning, episodic memory, and executive functioning, in favor of non-epsilon4 carriers. In addition, older age and APOE-epsilon4 heterozygosity was associated with smaller epsilon4-related impairments. The meta-analysis results suggest that APOE-epsilon4 genotype does affect cognitive performance in healthy aging, although the influence is relatively small and specific to certain domains of cognitive performance.
Small
Brent J
BJ
School of Aging Studies, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33620, USA. bsmall@cas.usf.edu
Rosnick
Christopher B
CB
Fratiglioni
Laura
L
Bäckman
Lars
L
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000235:genetics*; D000483:Alleles; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000235:genetics; D053327:Apolipoprotein E4; D001057:Apolipoproteins E / Q000235:genetics*; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006580:Genetic Carrier Screening; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D011930:Reaction Time / Q000235:genetics
D053327:Apolipoprotein E4; D001057:Apolipoproteins E