Cognitive ERPs are related to ApoE allelic variation in mildly cognitively impaired patients.
Identification of biological or cognitive changes in brain function, associated with allelic variation in Apolipoprotein E, is important for unravelling the mechanism behind the increased risk for Alzheimer's disease associated with the varepsilon4 allele. Cognitive event-related potentials (ERPs) show high degrees of heritability and are sensitive to subtle cognitive deficits. They may, therefore, be good candidates for assessing allelic effects. Non-demented patients age 50-76 undergoing investigation for memory problems performed ERP paradigms for testing automatic (MMN) and cognitive (N1, N2, P3) attention functions. The results indicated attenuation in the amplitude of the N1 and N2 ERP components depending on the dose of the varepsilon4 allele. Findings are consistent with studies showing reduced fronto-temporal metabolic activity in ApoE4 carriers.
Reinvang
Ivar
I
Department of Psychology, University of Oslo, Forskningsveien 3, Box 1094, Blindern, 0317 Oslo, Norway. ivar.reinvang@psykologi.uio.no
Espeseth
Thomas
T
Gjerstad
Leif
L
D000368:Aged; D000483:Alleles; D001057:Apolipoproteins E / Q000235:genetics*; D015415:Biomarkers; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000235:genetics* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004569:Electroencephalography; D005071:Evoked Potentials / Q000502:physiology*; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D014644:Genetic Variation; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests
D001057:Apolipoproteins E; D015415:Biomarkers