Key result
APOE ε4 allele linked to ~3-fold higher Alzheimer's disease risk in Latin American populations.
Why the study?
Does the APOE ε4 allele increase the risk of Alzheimer's disease in Latin American and Caribbean populations?
Meta-Analysis (n=8,721)
Yes
Does the APOE ε4 allele increase the risk of Alzheimer's disease in Latin American and Caribbean populations?
The APOE ε4 allele is a major genetic risk factor for Alzheimer's disease in Latin American and Caribbean populations, with regional variability.
The apolipoprotein E ( APOE ) ε4 allele represents the strongest genetic risk factor for Alzheimer's disease (AD), but its role in genetically diverse Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) populations is underexplored. We conducted a meta‐analysis of 35 studies from 11 LAC countries, encompassing 3206 patients with AD and 5515 controls. The ε4 allele demonstrated significant association with increased AD risk (odds ratio [OR] = 3.25, 95% confidence interval [2.82–3.76]), while ε3 showed lower odds (0.42, [0.37–0.48]). Homozygous ε4/ε4 carriers had elevated risk (6.84, [5.09–9.19]), and heterozygous ε3/ε4 carriers showed moderate risk (2.59, [2.31–2.91]). Country‐level analyses revealed variability, with Ecuador showing the highest OR for ε4/ε4 (13.29, [1.56–113.4]). These results confirm APOE ε4 as a major AD risk factor in LAC populations and highlight regional differences relevant to precision medicine.
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Orellana et al. (2026) conducted a meta-analysis in Alzheimer's disease (n=8,721). APOE ε4 allele vs. Controls was evaluated on Alzheimer's disease risk (OR 3.25, 95% CI 2.82-3.76). The APOE ε4 allele was significantly associated with increased Alzheimer's disease risk in Latin American and Caribbean populations (OR 3.25; 95% CI 2.82-3.76).
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