title: APOE and spatial navigation in amnestic MCI: results from a computer-based test.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We investigated the association between APOE ε4 status and spatial navigation in patients with amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) and assessed the role of hippocampal volume in this association.
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants were 74 patients with clinically confirmed aMCI (33 APOE ε4 noncarriers, 26 heterozygous, and 15 homozygous ε4 carriers). Body-centered (egocentric) and world-centered (allocentric) spatial navigation in a computerized human analogue of the Morris Water Maze was assessed. Brain MRI with subsequent automated hippocampal volumetry was included.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Groups were similar in neuropsychological profile. Controlling for age, sex, education, and free memory recall, the APOE ε4 carriers performed more poorly on all spatial navigation subtasks (ps < .05). APOE ε4 homozygotes performed worse than heterozygotes (p = .021). Right hippocampal volume accounted for the differences in allocentric and delayed subtasks (ps > .05), but not in the egocentric subtask (p < .001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Using an easy-to-use, computer-based tool to assess spatial navigation, we found spatial navigation deficits to worsen in a dose-dependent manner as a function of APOE ε4 status. This was at least partially due to differences in right hippocampal volume.
authors.affiliation: Charles University.
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Laczó
authors.affiliation: University of South Florida.
authors.forename: Ross
authors.identifier: 0000-0003-4083-4790
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Andel
authors.affiliation: Charles University.
authors.forename: Martin
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-5976-4932
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Vyhnalek
authors.affiliation: International Clinical Research Center, St. Anne's University Hospital Brno.
authors.forename: Kamil
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Vlcek
authors.affiliation: Charles University.
authors.forename: Zuzana
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Nedelska
authors.affiliation: Homolka Hospital.
authors.forename: Vaclav
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Matoska
authors.affiliation: Charles University.
authors.forename: Ivana
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Gazova
authors.affiliation: Charles University.
authors.forename: Ivana
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Mokrisova
authors.affiliation: International Clinical Research Center, St. Anne's University Hospital Brno.
authors.forename: Katerina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sheardova
authors.affiliation: Charles University.
authors.forename: Jakub
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hort
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000647:Amnesia / Q000150:complications / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D053327:Apolipoprotein E4 / Q000235:genetics*; D060825:Cognitive Dysfunction / Q000150:complications / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D003201:Computers; D005260:Female; D007839:Functional Laterality; D006624:Hippocampus / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D065853:Spatial Learning / Q000502:physiology; D065854:Spatial Navigation / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D053327:Apolipoprotein E4