APOE genotype, hippocampus, and cognitive markers of Alzheimer's disease in American Indians: Data from the Strong Heart Study

Background The apolipoprotein E (APOE) epsilon 4 allele confers higher risk of neurodegeneration and Alzheimer's disease (AD), but differs by race/ethnicity. We examined this association in American Indians. Methods The Strong Heart Study is a population-based cohort of American Indians who were 64 to 95 years of age in 2010 to 2013. APOE epsilon 4 status, brain imaging, and neuropsychological testing was collected in N = 811 individuals. Summary statistics, graphics, and generalized linear regressions-adjusted for sociodemographics, clinical features, and intracranial volume with bootstrap variance estimator-compared APOE epsilon 4 carriers with non-carriers. Results APOE epsilon 4 carriers comprised 22% of the population (0.7% homozygotes). Participants were mean 73 years, 67% female, and 54% had some college education. The majority were obese (>50%), hypertensive (>80%), and diabetic (>50%). Neither imaging findings nor multidomain cognitive testing showed any substantive differences between APOE epsilon 4 carriers and non-carriers. Conclusion We found no evidence of neurodegenerative risk from APOE epsilon 4 in American Indians. Additional studies are needed to examine potential protective features.

Automated summary

This study found no evidence of an association between the APOE epsilon 4 allele and neurodegenerative risk in American Indians. Further research is needed to explore potential protective features.