[Apolipoprotein e polymorphism and cognitive function change of the elderly in a rural area, Korea].
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study is to examine the cognitive function change related to aging, the incidence of cognitive impairment, and the association between apolipoprotein E polymorphism and cognitive impairment through a follow-up of the elderly with normal cognitive ability at baseline.


METHODS
Two hundred and fifteen subjects aged 65 and over were surveyed in February, 1998 (baseline survey), and their cognitive function was assessed again in 2003 (1st follow-up) and the once again in 2006 (2nd follow-up). Ninety one subjects completed all surveys up through the 2nd follow-up and their cognitive function scores using MMSE-K (Korean Version of the Mini-Mental State Examination) and the distribution of apolipoprotein E allele were analyzed.


RESULTS
The cognitive function scores decreased with aging and the difference between baseline and the 2nd follow-up scores of the study increased with the age group. The incidence rate of cognitive impairment through an 8-year follow-up was 38.5% and higher in older age groups. Age was the only significant factor for incidence of cognitive impairment, but there was no significant association between apolipoprotein E genotype and incidence of cognitive impairment.


CONCLUSIONS
The cognition of the elderly decreased with aging and the association of apolipoprotein E genotype with incidence of cognitive impairment was not significant in this study. To confirm the association between apolipoprotein E polymorphism and incidence of cognitive impairment further studies will be needed.
Kim
Sang Kyu
SK
Department of Preventive Medicine, Dongguk University, College of Medicine, Korea.
Hwang
Tae Yoon
TY
Lee
Kyeong Soo
KS
Kang
Pock Soo
PS
Cho
Hee Soon
HS
Bae
Young Kyung
YK
D000368:Aged; D001057:Apolipoproteins E / Q000235:genetics*; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007723:Korea; D008297:Male; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic
D001057:Apolipoproteins E