J Prev Med Public Health.  2009 Jul;42(4):261-266. 10.3961/jpmph.2009.42.4.261.

Apolipoprotein E Polymorphism and Cognitive Function Change of the Elderly in a Rural Area, Korea

Affiliations
  • 1Department of Preventive Medicine, Dongguk University, College of Medicine, Korea.
  • 2Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Yeungnam University, College of Medicine, Korea. luke@ynu.ac.kr
  • 3Department of Laboratory Medicine, Yeungnam University, College of Medicine, Korea.
  • 4Department of Pathology Yeungnam University, College of Medicine, Korea.

Abstract


OBJECTIVES
The aim of this study is to examine the cognitive function change related to aging, the incidence of cognitive impairment, and the association between apolipoprotein E polymorphism and cognitive impairment through a follow-up of the elderly with normal cognitive ability at baseline. METHODS: Two hundred and fifteen subjects aged 65 and over were surveyed in February, 1998 (baseline survey), and their cognitive function was assessed again in 2003 (1st follow-up) and the once again in 2006 (2nd follow-up). Ninety one subjects completed all surveys up through the 2nd follow-up and their cognitive function scores using MMSE-K (Korean Version of the Mini-Mental State Examination) and the distribution of apolipoprotein E allele were analyzed. RESULTS: The cognitive function scores decreased with aging and the difference between baseline and the 2nd follow-up scores of the study increased with the age group. The incidence rate of cognitive impairment through an 8-year follow-up was 38.5% and higher in older age groups. Age was the only significant factor for incidence of cognitive impairment, but there was no significant association between apolipoprotein E genotype and incidence of cognitive impairment. CONCLUSIONS: The cognition of the elderly decreased with aging and the association of apolipoprotein E genotype with incidence of cognitive impairment was not significant in this study. To confirm the association between apolipoprotein E polymorphism and incidence of cognitive impairment further studies will be needed.

Keyword

Apolipoprotein E; Polymorphism; Aging; Cognition

MeSH Terms

Aged
Apolipoproteins E/*genetics
Cognition/physiology
Cognition Disorders/etiology/*genetics
Female
Humans
Korea
Male
Polymorphism, Genetic
Full Text Links
  • JPMPH
Actions
Cited
CITED
export Copy
Close
Share
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
Similar articles
Copyright © 2024 by Korean Association of Medical Journal Editors. All rights reserved.     E-mail: koreamed@kamje.or.kr