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

J Neurol Sci. 2008 Oct 15;273(1-2):34-9. doi: 10.1016/j.jns.2008.06.008. Epub 2008 Jul 23.

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 epsilon4 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 epsilon4 allele, the independent association with age suggests either 1) a survival effect, 2) decreased incidence with advancing age, or 3) both.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Age Factors
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Aging*
  • Alzheimer Disease / complications
  • Alzheimer Disease / genetics*
  • Alzheimer Disease / mortality
  • Alzheimer Disease / pathology*
  • Apolipoprotein E4 / genetics*
  • Cerebral Amyloid Angiopathy / complications
  • Cerebral Amyloid Angiopathy / genetics
  • Cerebrovascular Disorders / complications
  • Cerebrovascular Disorders / genetics
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Lewy Body Disease / complications
  • Lewy Body Disease / genetics
  • Lewy Body Disease / mortality
  • Lewy Body Disease / pathology
  • Logistic Models
  • Male
  • Retrospective Studies

Substances

  • Apolipoprotein E4