Affiliations: [a] Department of Psychiatry, Wenzhou Seventh People’s Hospital, China
| [b] Department of Pathology, Hangzhou Normal University, China
| [c] Department of Ultrasound, the First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, China
| [d] Independent Researcher, Hangzhou, China
Correspondence:
[*]
Correspondence to: Xiaodong Lin and Jie Zhang, (Xiaodong Lin) 158 Xueshiqian Road, Panqiao Street, Ouhai District, Wenzhou, Zhejiang; (Jie Zhang) 25 Xuezheng Road, Xiasha District, Hanghzou, Zhejiang, China. (Xiaodong Lin) E-mail: 13325779718@163.com (Jie Zhang) E-mail: jayzhang1014@gmail.com.
Note: [1] Data used in preparation of this article were obtained from the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) database (http://adni.loni.usc.edu). As such, the investigators within the ADNI contributed to the design and implementation of ADNI and/or provided data but did not participate in analysis or writing of this report. A complete listing of ADNI investigators can be found at: http://adni.loni.usc.edu/wp-content/uploads/how_to_apply/ADNI_Acknowledgement_List.pdf
Abstract: Our aim was to examine whether the influence of apolipoprotein E4 (APOE4) genotype on cognitive decline differs in male and female across the Alzheimer’s disease (AD) continuum. Among individuals with normal cognition (NC; n = 415), mild cognitive impairment (MCI; n = 870), and AD (n = 334), we investigated the longitudinal associations of APOE4 genotype and sex with cognitive decline over 13 years. Our cognitive outcomes were Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test (RAVLT) total learning score and delayed recall and Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score. There were significant effects of the APOE4×sex interaction on change in verbal memory in the MCI group, but not the NC or AD group. Specifically, among individuals with MCI, female APOE4 carriers had a steeper decline in RAVLT total learning score, but not delayed recall or MMSE score compared to all other groups (APOE4 + /Male, APOE4-/Female, APOE4-/Male). In conclusion, female APOE4 carriers have faster rates of memory decline than their male counterparts among MCI individuals.
Keywords: Alzheimer’s disease, APOE, memory decline, sex differences
