APOEε4 Carriers Exhibit Objective Cognitive Deficits: A Cross-Sectional Study in a Single Center Trial

Yanfang Zeng; Wenying Du; Mingkai Zhang; Ariel Walker; Ying Han; Yuchuan Ding

doi:10.3390/brainsci14030281

Brain Sciences (Mar 2024)

APOEε4 Carriers Exhibit Objective Cognitive Deficits: A Cross-Sectional Study in a Single Center Trial

Yanfang Zeng,
Wenying Du,
Mingkai Zhang,
Ariel Walker,
Ying Han,
Yuchuan Ding

Affiliations

Yanfang Zeng: Department of Neurology, Xuanwu Hospital of Capital Medical University, No. 45 Changchun Street, Xicheng District, Beijing 100053, China
Wenying Du: Department of Neurology, China Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing 100029, China
Mingkai Zhang: Department of Neurology, Xuanwu Hospital of Capital Medical University, No. 45 Changchun Street, Xicheng District, Beijing 100053, China
Ariel Walker: Department of Neurological Surgery, Wayne State University School of Medicine, 550 E Canfield, Detroit, MI 48201, USA
Ying Han: Department of Neurology, Xuanwu Hospital of Capital Medical University, No. 45 Changchun Street, Xicheng District, Beijing 100053, China
Yuchuan Ding: Department of Neurological Surgery, Wayne State University School of Medicine, 550 E Canfield, Detroit, MI 48201, USA

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci14030281
Journal volume & issue: Vol. 14, no. 3
p. 281

Abstract

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Objective: To explore the association between the apolipoprotein E (APOE) genotype and objectively assessed cognitive function. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 537 participants underwent a neuropsychological assessment for cognitive function and blood testing for APOE genotype. Based on cognitive test results, participants were stratified into two cohorts: Cognitively Unimpaired participants (CU) and Cognitively Impaired participants (CI). The CI group was further divided into Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer’s Disease (AD). Furthermore, we conducted age stratification, categorizing participants into three age groups: age 1: 75 years. We assessed the disparities in cognitive function associated with ε4 carrier status across different age brackets. Plasma amyloid-β levels were measured in a cohort of 294 participants to investigate potential interactions involving ε4 carrier status, diagnosis, sex, or plasma markers. Results: The APOE genotypic distribution among the 537 participants was characterized as follows: ε2/ε2 (5 participants), ε2/ε3 (67), ε2/ε4 (13), ε3/ε3 (330), ε3/ε4 (113), and ε4/ε4 (9). Allele frequencies were: ε3 at 78.21%, ε4 at 13.41%, and ε2 at 8.38%. Notably, the ε4 carrier frequency was markedly elevated in the AD group at 81.8% when compared to MCI at 32.8% and CU at 21.3% (p p p p p < 0.05). Conclusions: The ε3/ε3 was the most prevalent among participants, succeeded by ε3/ε4 and ε2/ε3. The least prevalent were ε2/ε4, ε4/ε4, and ε2/ε2 genotypes. The ε3 was predominant, followed by the ε4 and ε2. Individuals with the ε4 allele exhibited significant cognitive impairment, with an especially high prevalence in AD group at 81.8%. The study unveils a pronounced correlation between the ε4 allele and cognitive deficits, implying its potential role in the advancement and severity of cognitive disorders, notably Alzheimer’s disease. Cognitive function declines with age in individuals carrying the ε4, and women are more affected by ε4.

Published in Brain Sciences

ISSN: 2076-3425 (Online)
Publisher: MDPI AG
Country of publisher: Switzerland
LCC subjects: Medicine: Internal medicine: Neurosciences. Biological psychiatry. Neuropsychiatry
Website: https://www.mdpi.com/journal/brainsci/

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