Department of Psychology, Florida State University, Tallahassee, 32306-1270, USA.
Aging Ment Health. 2010 Aug;14(6):679-91. doi: 10.1080/13607860903292594.
The apolipoprotein (APOE) epsilon4 allele genotype is a risk factor for dementia, but not all people with the APOE epsilon4 allele develop cognitive impairment (CI). Among participants with the APOE epsilon4 allele (N = 664), we identified biological, psychological, and social variables that discriminate between participants who develop CI from those who do not. We then determined if these variables predicted CI in noncarriers (N = 1421). In the sample as a whole we then determined if each of these identified variables moderate the relationship between the APOE epsilon4 allele and CI.
We used data from a biracial community-dwelling sample of older adults. Data were collected at four time points over a 10-year period. Cognitive functioning was assessed at each wave, using the Short Portable Mental Status Questionnaire (SPMSQ). APOE genotyping was performed at Wave 3.
Among APOE epsilon4 allele carriers, but not noncarriers, variables associated with CI included white race, female gender, low BMI, number of negative life events, and health problems (high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke). In analyses testing for moderate effects and including the entire sample, significant interactions with APOE epsilon4 allele and predictor variables revealed that white race, low BMI, stroke, heart disease, and negative life events had a greater effect on CI among those with the APOE epsilon4 allele compared to those without the allele.
There are biological, psychological, and social variables associated with increased risk for CI among individuals with the APOE epsilon4 allele.
载脂蛋白（APOE）ε4 等位基因基因型是痴呆的危险因素，但并非所有携带 APOE ε4 等位基因的人都会出现认知障碍（CI）。在携带 APOE ε4 等位基因的参与者中（N=664），我们确定了区分发生 CI 和未发生 CI 的参与者的生物学、心理和社会变量。然后，我们确定这些变量是否可以预测非携带者（N=1421）的 CI。在整个样本中，我们确定这些已确定的变量中的每一个是否可以调节 APOE ε4 等位基因与 CI 之间的关系。
我们使用了来自一个由不同种族组成的、居住在社区的老年人群体的双相数据。数据在 10 年的 4 个时间点收集。在每个波次中，使用简短便携式精神状态问卷（SPMSQ）评估认知功能。在第 3 波次进行 APOE 基因分型。
在携带 APOE ε4 等位基因的参与者中，但非携带者中，与 CI 相关的变量包括白种人、女性、低 BMI、负面生活事件数量和健康问题（高血压、心脏病和中风）。在测试具有中度影响的分析中，包括整个样本，与 APOE ε4 等位基因和预测变量的显著交互作用表明，与不携带该等位基因的人相比，白种人、低 BMI、中风、心脏病和负面生活事件对携带 APOE ε4 等位基因的人发生 CI 的影响更大。
对于携带 APOE ε4 等位基因的个体，存在与 CI 风险增加相关的生物学、心理和社会变量。
