Abstract
Background: Although apolipoprotein E polymorphism ε4 allele (ApoE4) and slow gait are well-known risk factors for cognitive impairment, examination of their combined effect on cognitive function is lacking. Our objective was to elucidate whether a combination of ApoE4 phenotyping and slow gait resulted in greater cognitive impairment.Methods: Overall, 1,085 community-dwelling older adults, either ApoE4 carriers (n = 167, 15.4%) or non-ApoE4 carriers, were included from the “Takashimadaira study.” Gait speed was assessed with an electronic walkway and slow gait was defined as <1 m/s. Cognitive performance was also assessed using the Mini-Mental State Exam (MMSE) and the Trail Making Test (TMT)-A and -B. A two-way analysis of covariance (ANCOVA; ApoE and gait velocity factors) adjusted for covariates was performed for each analysis.Results: Gait and cognitive performances were similar for ApoE4 and non-ApoE4 carriers. A two-way ANCOVA of the MMSE showed a significant interaction between the two factors. ApoE4 carriers with slow gait had lower MMSE scores than ApoE4 carriers without slow gait and non-ApoE4 carriers with slow gait. Also, a significant main effect of gait velocity on TMT-A was observed, indicating that slow gait is associated with lower scores irrespective of the presence of ApoE4. There was no main effect or interaction observed on the TMT-B.Conclusions: Our results suggest that the concurrent presence of at least one copy of ApoE4 and slow gait can define a subgroup with the lowest cognition. Elucidating the mechanisms underlying these associations may point out modifiable factors in populations at risk of dementia.
Highlights
Apolipoprotein E polymorphism ε4 allele (ApoE4) is associated with cognitive impairment (Farrer et al, 1997; Liu et al, 2013) and is considered one of the most robust risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease (AD)
The proportion of female participants was significantly higher in non-ApoE4 carriers without slow gait; and the proportion of cerebrovascular disease was significantly higher in groups with slow gait compared with the groups without slow gait
Older age, higher number of comorbidities, and greater Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) score tended to be higher in groups with slow gait
Summary
Apolipoprotein E polymorphism ε4 allele (ApoE4) is associated with cognitive impairment (Farrer et al, 1997; Liu et al, 2013) and is considered one of the most robust risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Similar to ApoE4, slow gait has been associated with increased risk of cognitive impairment (Verghese et al, 2008; Dumurgier et al, 2017; Montero-Odasso et al, 2019), and it is regarded as a strong predictor of dementia in population-based and clinical studies. The combined effect of carrying ApoE4 phenotyping with slow gait speed on cognitive performance is poorly known. Apolipoprotein E polymorphism ε4 allele (ApoE4) and slow gait are well-known risk factors for cognitive impairment, examination of their combined effect on cognitive function is lacking. Our objective was to elucidate whether a combination of ApoE4 phenotyping and slow gait resulted in greater cognitive impairment
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
