title: Apolipoprotein E epsilon 4 allele is associated with increased atrophy in progressive mild cognitive impairment: a voxel-based morphometric study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The apolipoprotein E (APOE) epsilon4 allele is a risk factor for Alzheimer's disease. Earlier studies have shown differences in brain structure according to the APOE epsilon4 status.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To assess possible differences in brain structure according to the APOE epsilon4 status in mild cognitive impairment (MCI) subjects in relation to conversion to dementia.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a follow-up study of 56 MCI subjects, 13 MCI subjects progressed to dementia (PMCI) during a mean follow-up time of 31 months. Brain structure differences in both stable MCI (SMCI) and PMCI epsilon4 carriers and noncarriers in the baseline MRI scan were assessed with voxel-based morphometry.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The SMCI epsilon4 carriers had atrophy in the amygdala and hippocampus compared to the SMCI noncarriers. The PMCI epsilon4 carriers revealed atrophy of the left inferior frontal gyrus and parietal cortex compared to the PMCI noncarriers.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The rate of brain atrophy in certain brain areas may be increased in epsilon4-positive MCI subjects progressing to dementia.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neuroscience and Neurology, University of Kuopio and Brain Research Unit, Clinical Research Center, Mediteknia, Kuopio, Finland.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hämäläinen
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Grau-Olivares
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tervo
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Niskanen
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Pennanen
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Huuskonen
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kivipelto
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hänninen
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tapiola
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Vanhanen
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hallikainen
authors.forename: E-L
authors.initials: EL
authors.lastname: Helkala
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nissinen
authors.forename: R L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Vanninen
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Soininen
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000483:Alleles; D053327:Apolipoprotein E4 / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics*; D001284:Atrophy; D001931:Brain Mapping / Q000379:methods; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000473:pathology* / Q000502:physiology; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology* / Q000523:psychology; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003704:Dementia / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D053327:Apolipoprotein E4