title: Genetic Risk Score Predicts Late-Life Cognitive Impairment.
abstract: Introduction. A family history of Alzheimer's disease is a significant risk factor for its onset, but the genetic risk associated with possessing multiple risk alleles is still poorly understood. Methods. In a sample of 95 older adults (Mean age = 75.1, 64.2% female), we constructed a genetic risk score based on the accumulation of risk alleles in BDNF, COMT, and APOE. A neuropsychological evaluation and consensus determined cognitive status (44 nonimpaired, 51 impaired). Logistic regression was performed to determine whether the genetic risk score predicted cognitive impairment above and beyond that associated with each gene. Results. An increased genetic risk score was associated with a nearly 4-fold increased risk of cognitive impairment (OR = 3.824, P = .013) when including the individual gene polymorphisms as covariates in the model. Discussion. A risk score combining multiple genetic influences may be more useful in predicting late-life cognitive impairment than individual polymorphisms.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Pittsburgh, Sennott Square, 3rd Floor, 210 South Bouquet Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA.
authors.forename: Mariegold E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Wollam
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Pittsburgh, Sennott Square, 3rd Floor, 210 South Bouquet Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA ; Center for the Neural Basis of Cognition, University of Pittsburgh, 4400 Fifth Avenue, Suite 115, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA.
authors.forename: Andrea M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Weinstein
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, University of Pittsburgh, 811 Kaufmann Medical Building, 3471 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA.
authors.forename: Judith A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Saxton
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, Thomas Detre Hall, 3811 O'Hara Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA.
authors.forename: Lisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Morrow
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, University of Pittsburgh, 811 Kaufmann Medical Building, 3471 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA.
authors.forename: Beth
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Snitz
authors.affiliation: Division of General Internal Medicine and Geriatrics, Indiana University, Fifth Third Faculty Building, 720 Eskenazi Avenue, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA.
authors.forename: Nicole R
authors.initials: NR
authors.lastname: Fowler
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Pittsburgh, Sennott Square, 3rd Floor, 210 South Bouquet Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA.
authors.forename: Barbara L
authors.initials: BL
authors.lastname: Suever Erickson
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Pittsburgh, Sennott Square, 3rd Floor, 210 South Bouquet Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA ; Center for the Neural Basis of Cognition, University of Pittsburgh, 4400 Fifth Avenue, Suite 115, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA.
authors.forename: Kathryn A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Roecklein
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Pittsburgh, Sennott Square, 3rd Floor, 210 South Bouquet Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA ; Center for the Neural Basis of Cognition, University of Pittsburgh, 4400 Fifth Avenue, Suite 115, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA.
authors.forename: Kirk I
authors.initials: KI
authors.lastname: Erickson