EEG functional connectivity and ApoE genotype in Alzheimer's disease and controls.
OBJECTIVE
We examined the relation between Apolipoprotein E epsilon4 allele (ApoE epsilon4) genotype and functional connectivity measured by Electroencephalography (EEG) in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) and patients with subjective complaints (SC).


METHODS
We included 43 patients with AD (age (SD)=74.2 (4.0), m/f=22/21; 30 of ApoE epsilon4 carriers) and 21 patients with SC (age (SD)=73.2 (5.2), m/f=13/8; 7 ApoE epsilon4 carriers) for this study. Resting state EEGs were recorded in all subjects. Synchronisation likelihood (SL) between local cortical areas was compared in the alpha and beta band according to ApoE epsilon4 status and diagnosis.


RESULTS
ApoE epsilon4 carriers had higher SL values in lower and upper alpha band, in both diagnostic groups. In upper alpha band and beta band AD patients had lower SL than patients with SC, was irrespective of ApoE status.


CONCLUSIONS
The effects of AD and ApoE epsilon4 on functional connectivity are opposite and independent.


CONCLUSIONS
The observed increase in SL in both AD and patients with SC carrying ApoE epsilon4 suggests a strong genetic impact of ApoE epsilon4 on brain function.
Department of Neurology, Alzheimer Centre, VU University Medical Center, PO Box 7057, De Boelelaan 1118, 1007 MB Amsterdam, Noord Holland, The Netherlands.
Gerdien
G
Kramer
Wiesje M
WM
van der Flier
Conny
C
de Langen
Marinus A
MA
Blankenstein
Philip
P
Scheltens
Cornelis J
CJ
Stam
D000368:Aged; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001057:Apolipoproteins E / Q000235:genetics*; D001921:Brain / Q000503:physiopathology; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000235:genetics / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004569:Electroencephalography; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D016013:Likelihood Functions; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D008609:Mental Status Schedule; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D009716:Numerical Analysis, Computer-Assisted; D012146:Rest / Q000502:physiology
D001057:Apolipoproteins E