title: [Apolipoprotein e polymorphism and cognitive function change of the elderly in a rural area, Korea].
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Preventive Medicine, Dongguk University, College of Medicine, Korea.
authors.forename: Sang Kyu
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Tae Yoon
authors.initials: TY
authors.lastname: Hwang
authors.forename: Kyeong Soo
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Pock Soo
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Kang
authors.forename: Hee Soon
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Cho
authors.forename: Young Kyung
authors.initials: YK
authors.lastname: Bae
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D001057:Apolipoproteins E