Apo E influences declarative and procedural learning in age-associated memory impairment

Neuroreport. 1999 Sep 29;10(14):2923-7. doi: 10.1097/00001756-199909290-00009.

Abstract

Age-associated memory impairment (AAMI) is a clinical entity which was originally described to define memory problems linked to normal aging. Apolipoprotein E and ACE genes have both been associated with cognitive impairment in aging and dementia. The purpose of this study was to investigate memory and executive functions in AAMI according to the genetic background. We found that subjects carrying the Apo E epsilon4 allele exhibit lower memory performance on tests of both declarative and procedural memory. We did not find differences on frontal lobe tests. These findings give further support to the hypothesis concerning a genetic susceptibility for cognitive impairment in aging.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aging / psychology*
  • Apolipoproteins E / genetics*
  • DNA / analysis
  • DNA / genetics
  • Female
  • Frontal Lobe / physiology
  • Genotype
  • Humans
  • Learning / physiology*
  • Male
  • Memory Disorders / genetics*
  • Memory Disorders / psychology*
  • Middle Aged
  • Neuropsychological Tests
  • Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A / genetics
  • Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
  • Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Verbal Learning / physiology
  • Visual Perception / physiology

Substances

  • Apolipoproteins E
  • DNA
  • Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A