title: APOE moderates the association between lifestyle activities and cognitive performance: evidence of genetic plasticity in aging.
abstract: The current study examined independent and interactive effects between Apolipoprotein E (APOE) genotype and two types of cognitively-stimulating lifestyle activities (CSLA)-integrated information processing (CSLA-II) and novel information processing (CSLA-NI)-on concurrent and longitudinal changes in cognition. Three-wave data across 6 years of follow-up from the Victoria Longitudinal Study (n=278; ages 55-94) and linear mixed model analyses were used to characterize the effects of APOE genotype and participation in CSLA-II and CSLA-NI in four cognitive domains. Significant CSLA effects on cognition were observed. More frequent participation in challenging activities (i.e., CSLA-NI) was associated with higher baseline scores on word recall, fact recall, vocabulary and verbal fluency. Conversely, higher participation in less cognitively-challenging activities (i.e., CSLA-II) was associated with lower scores on fact recall and verbal fluency. No longitudinal CSLA-cognition effects were found. Two significant genetic effects were observed. First, APOE moderated CSLA-II and CSLA-NI associations with baseline verbal fluency and fact recall scores. Second, APOE non-ɛ4 carriers' baseline performance were more likely to be moderated by CSLA participation, compared to APOE-ɛ4 carriers. Our findings suggest APOE may be a "plasticity" gene that makes individuals more or less amenable to the influence of protective factors such as CSLA.
authors.affiliation: 1School of Aging Studies,University of South Florida;Tampa,Florida.
authors.forename: Shannon K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Runge
authors.affiliation: 1School of Aging Studies,University of South Florida;Tampa,Florida.
authors.forename: Brent J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Small
authors.affiliation: 2Department of Psychology,University of Alberta;Edmonton,Alberta,Canada.
authors.forename: G Peggy
authors.initials: GP
authors.lastname: McFall
authors.affiliation: 2Department of Psychology,University of Alberta;Edmonton,Alberta,Canada.
authors.forename: Roger A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Dixon
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000235:genetics*; D001057:Apolipoproteins E / Q000235:genetics*; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D016014:Linear Models; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008568:Memory / Q000502:physiology; D008606:Mental Processes / Q000502:physiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D014706:Verbal Learning / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D001057:Apolipoproteins E