Apolipoprotein epsilon4 status is associated with behavioral symptoms in nursing home residents with dementia.
BACKGROUND
While the relationship of apolipoprotein E (APOE) to behavioral symptoms of dementia (BSD) has been studied in community-dwelling persons with AD, it has received limited attention within the nursing home (NH) population. The aim of this study was to examine the association between APOE genotype and BSD in NH residents using direct observation.


METHODS
Thirty-six participants, aged 71-102 years, were compared using a non-randomized two-group design with continuous measures. APOE genotype was obtained by buccal swab. BSD, including restlessness, escape restraint, tapping and banging, searching and wandering, pacing and walking, and vocalization, were measured using the Modified Agitated Behavior Rating Scale. Participants were observed every 20 minutes for 12 hours per day for five days. Each participant's mean behavior scores were compared according to the presence or absence of the APOE epsilon4 allele.


RESULTS
Resident characteristics included a mean MMSE of 10.44 indicating moderate to severe dementia and a mean of 3.44 medical co-morbidities. Fifty-six percent of the participants had one epsilon4 allele. A significant difference was found between APOE epsilon4+/4- and mean behavioral scores (F(1,31)) = 4.40, p = 0.04). Restlessness was significantly inversely correlated with MMSE (r = -0.367, p = 0.03), but not APOE genotype. There was no significant correlation between proxy reporting and direct observation (r = 0.257, p = 0.13).


CONCLUSIONS
Findings indicate that the presence of the APOE epsilon4+ genotype increases the risk for BSD in NH residents with dementia. Direct observation proved a more accurate estimate of BSD than proxy report.
Woods
Diana Lynn
DL
School of Nursing, University of California, Los Angeles 90095-6919, USA. lwoods@sonnet.ucla.edu
Bushnell
Brittany
B
Kim
Haesook
H
Geschwind
Daniel
D
Cummings
Jeffrey
J
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000483:Alleles; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000451:nursing; D053327:Apolipoprotein E4 / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D006707:Homes for the Aged; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000451:nursing; D008609:Mental Status Schedule; D009735:Nursing Homes; D011595:Psychomotor Agitation / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000451:nursing
D053327:Apolipoprotein E4