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Cognitive change and the APOE ɛ4 allele

Author

Listed:
  • Ian J. Deary

    (University of Edinburgh)

  • Martha C. Whiteman

    (University of Edinburgh)

  • Alison Pattie

    (University of Edinburgh)

  • John M. Starr

    (Royal Victoria Hospital)

  • Caroline Hayward

    (Medical Research Council Human Genetics Unit, Western General Hospital)

  • Alan F. Wright

    (Medical Research Council Human Genetics Unit, Western General Hospital)

  • Andrew Carothers

    (Medical Research Council Human Genetics Unit, Western General Hospital)

  • Lawrence J. Whalley

    (University of Aberdeen, Clinical Research Centre, Royal Cornhill Hospital)

Abstract

There is a marked variation in whether people retain sufficient cognitive function to maintain their quality of life and independence in old age, even among those without dementia, so it would be valuable to identify the determinants of normal age-related cognitive change1,2. We have retested non-demented 80-year-olds who were participants in the Scottish Mental Survey of 1932, and find that the variation in their non-pathological cognitive change from age 11 to 80 is related to their apolipoprotein E (APOE) genotype. This effect of the APOE ɛ4 allele on normal cognitive ageing may be mediated by a mechanism that is at least partly independent of its predisposing effect towards Alzheimer's disease.

Suggested Citation

  • Ian J. Deary & Martha C. Whiteman & Alison Pattie & John M. Starr & Caroline Hayward & Alan F. Wright & Andrew Carothers & Lawrence J. Whalley, 2002. "Cognitive change and the APOE ɛ4 allele," Nature, Nature, vol. 418(6901), pages 932-932, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:418:y:2002:i:6901:d:10.1038_418932a
    DOI: 10.1038/418932a
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