title: Lack of an association between left-handedness and APOE polymorphism in a large sample of adults: results of the Czech HAPIEE study.
abstract: An association between APOE genotype and left-handedness has been previously reported. We examined whether such association exists in a population sample of 4438 unrelated Caucasian adults aged 45-69 years (2022 males and 2416 females). Left-handedness was based on self-reported left-hand dominance for writing (prevalence 4.9%) and on consistently higher left-hand grip strength in two repeated measurements (prevalence 12.2%). Individuals with higher left hand grip strength were seven times more likely to be self-reported left handers (p<.0001, χ(2) 159.7, 2 df). There were no differences in the proportion of self-reported left-handedness (p=.828, χ(2) 2.1, 5 df) or higher grip strength in left hand (p=.557, χ(2) 3.9, 5 df) between APOE genotypes. The lack of association was similar in both genders and did not differ by age group. The results suggest that left-handedness in adults is not related to APOE genotype.
authors.affiliation: Institute for Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Prague, Czech Republic. jahb@ikem.cz
authors.forename: Jaroslav A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Hubacek
authors.forename: Brian J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Piper
authors.forename: Hynek
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Pikhart
authors.forename: Anne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Peasey
authors.forename: Ruzena
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kubinova
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bobak
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D001057:Apolipoproteins E / Q000235:genetics*; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D018153:Czech Republic; D005260:Female; D007839:Functional Laterality / Q000235:genetics*; D056726:Genetic Association Studies; D018737:Hand Strength / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic / Q000235:genetics*; D057566:Self Report
chemical_list: D001057:Apolipoproteins E