Age and apoE associations with complex pathologic features in Alzheimer's disease

Gregory A. Jicha, Joseph E. Parisi, Dennis W. Dickson, Ruth H. Cha, Kris A. Johnson, Glenn E. Smith, Bradley F. Boeve, Ronald C. Petersen, David S. Knopman

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

17 Scopus citations

Abstract

The risk for Alzheimer's disease (AD) is influenced by both age and ApoE status. The present study addresses the associations of age and ApoE status on complex pathologic features in AD (n = 81) including coexistent cerebrovascular disease (CVD), argyrophilic grain disease (AGD), and Lewy body disease (LBD). The frequency of coexistent cerebrovascular disease increased with increasing age. Age and ApoE status were differentially associated with atherosclerosis, lacunar infarctions, and microvascular pathology. Coexistent Lewy body pathology was negatively associated with age, dropping off abruptly after age 90. The presence of an ApoE ε4 allele was associated with an increased frequency of coexistent LBD. Logistic regression analyses demonstrated both dependent and independent effects of age and ApoE status on the presence of coexistent Lewy body pathology in AD. While the decreasing frequency of LBD in AD after age 90 could be partly accounted for by a lower probability of an ApoE ε4 allele, the independent association with age suggests either 1) a survival effect, 2) decreased incidence with advancing age, or 3) both.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)34-39
Number of pages6
JournalJournal of the neurological sciences
Volume273
Issue number1-2
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 15 2008

Keywords

  • Alzheimer's disease
  • Apolipoprotein E
  • Argyrophilic grains
  • Cerebrovascular disease
  • Lewy body disease
  • age

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Neurology
  • Clinical Neurology

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