Apolipoprotein E epsilon 4 allele and hippocampal volume in twins with normal cognition

Neurology. 1997 Apr;48(4):985-9. doi: 10.1212/wnl.48.4.985.

Abstract

We examined the relation of APOE-epsilon 4, hippocampal volume, and cognitive performance in ten pairs of cognitively normal twins who had a mean age of 62.5 years (SD = 7.8). There were no significant differences in neuropsychological measures of the groups categorized by the presence of an epsilon 4 allele. However, the mean normalized right and left hippocampal volumes were smaller in the epsilon 4 groups compared to the group without epsilon 4. Combined with prior reports, these findings suggest that epsilon 4 is associated with differences in brain morphology that may be evident when no symptoms of dementia are present.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Alleles*
  • Apolipoprotein E4
  • Apolipoproteins E / genetics*
  • Cognition*
  • Female
  • Genotype
  • Hippocampus / anatomy & histology*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Reference Values
  • Twins*

Substances

  • Apolipoprotein E4
  • Apolipoproteins E