Key result
The APOE4 allele frequency was higher in Alzheimer's disease patients compared to controls, but not in vascular dementia or late-onset depression.
Why the study?
To analyze the frequency of the APOE4 allele in elderly patients with Alzheimer disease, vascular dementia, or depression compared to age- and sex-matched controls.
Does the APOE4 allele associate with Alzheimer's disease, vascular dementia, or late-onset depression in north Indian elderly patients?
Case-Control (n=117)
No
Does the APOE4 allele associate with Alzheimer's disease, vascular dementia, or late-onset depression in north Indian elderly patients?
The APOE4 allele is significantly associated with Alzheimer's disease but not with vascular dementia or late-onset depression in the north Indian elderly population.
Answers are grounded in this paper and cite their sources.
APOE4 was associated with AD in north Indian elderly; supports prior observations but leaves vascular dementia and depression links open.
The objective of the study was to analyze the frequency of APOE4 allele in elderly patients with Alzheimer’s or vascular dementia or depression; compare these to age/sex matched controls; compare the results with established literature and highlight new findings. A single center, multiple disease, case-control study was performed with three case groups- probable AD patients (n=36), vascular dementia patients (n=29) and depression patients (n=20) and with a control group (n=32). APOE genotyping was performed in whole blood samples collected from patients and controls by restriction isotyping using the enzymes AflIII and HaeII. There was significant difference in frequency distribution of E4 allele between the AD (12/72; 16.7%) and control groups (3/64; 4.7%) (P=0.03). However, no significant difference was found in any of the other comparisons. The current study demonstrates absence of a significant association between APOE4 positivity and presence of late-onset depression in the north Indian elderly and reinforces the higher APOE4 prevalence in LOAD patients but not in VD patients. It is the first study of its kind from the northern part of India involving multiple disease groups and lays the framework for larger cohort studies.
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Misra et al. (2019) conducted a case-control in Alzheimer's disease, vascular dementia, or late-onset depression (n=117). APOE4 allele vs. Controls was evaluated on Frequency distribution of E4 allele (p=0.03). The APOE4 allele frequency was higher in Alzheimer's disease patients compared to controls, but not in vascular dementia or late-onset depression.
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