Apolipoprotein E ε4 and Change in Cognitive Functioning in Community-Dwelling Older Adults

Abstract

The relationship between apolipoprotein E ( APOE) ε 4 and change in cognition was examined in older men (n = 247; age = 75.0 ± 3.5 years) and women (n = 79; age = 70.8 ± 4.9 years) free of history of stroke. Participants were examined again 4.0 ± 0.5 years later. Exclusion criteria were (1) initial scores on the Mini-Mental State Examination of 23 or less or (2) the presence of the APOE 2/4genotype. Men with ε 4showed greater decline in some measures of executive function and verbal memory compared to those without ε 4; women with ε 4showed greater decline in Trail Making test performance relative to women without the allele. A significant gender × APOEε 4interaction was seen for change in performance on short delay cued recall. These results suggest that APOEε 4is associated with cognitive decline differently in older adult men and women.