The apolipoprotein E epsilon4-allele and antihypertensive treatment are associated with increased risk of cerebral MRI white matter hyperintensities.
OBJECTIVE
Apolipoprotein E-epsilon4 (APOE-epsilon4) is a potential risk factor for cerebral vascular disease. The aim of the present study was to examine the relative importance of APOE-epsilon4 and other relevant risk factors for the extent of cerebral white matter hyperintensity (WMH) in a community-based sample of elderly subjects.


METHODS
From a cohort of 976 subjects born in 1914, APOE genotype was determined and MRI examinations were carried out in 75 subjects. WMH were rated using a standard semi-quantitative method. ANOVA and regression analyses were conducted to explore the relative importance of the potential risk factors.


RESULTS
APOE genotype and antihypertensive treatment were significantly associated with severity of total WMH load (P < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
The study confirmed the association between APOE-epsilon4 and WMH. Pharmaceutical treatment for arterial hypertension was also associated with the total burden of WMH in this study.
Høgh
P
P
Memory Disorders Research Unit, The Neuroscience Centre, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark. hoegh@pet.rh.dk
Garde
E
E
Mortensen
E L
EL
Jørgensen
O S
OS
Krabbe
K
K
Waldemar
G
G
D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000009:adverse effects; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D053327:Apolipoprotein E4 / Q000235:genetics*; D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D012307:Risk Factors
D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D053327:Apolipoprotein E4