β-Amyloid, APOE and BDNF Genotype, and Depressive and Anxiety Symptoms in Cognitively Normal Older Women and Men

Am J Geriatr Psychiatry. 2016 Dec;24(12):1191-1195. doi: 10.1016/j.jagp.2016.08.007. Epub 2016 Aug 17.

Abstract

Objective: To examine how β-amyloid (Aβ), APOE and BDNF genotypes, and cortisol relate to depressive and anxiety symptoms in cognitively normal older women and men.

Methods: Cross-sectional data were analyzed from 423 older adults from the Australian Imaging Biomarkers and Lifestyle study. Analyses of covariance evaluated associations between Aβ, APOE and BDNF genotype, and cortisol in relation to severity of depressive and anxiety symptoms.

Results: Among Aβ+ older adults, APOE ε4 carriage was associated with greater severity of anxiety symptoms (d = 0.55); and in the full sample, APOE ε4 carriage was linked to greater severity of depressive (d = 0.26) and anxiety (d = 0.21) symptoms. Among Aβ+ women, ε4 carriers reported greater anxiety symptoms than non-ε4 carriers (d = 0.83), and female BDNF rs6265 Val66 Met allele carriers reported greater depressive symptoms (d = 0.29).

Conclusion: Sex moderated the relationship between Aβ, APOE genotype, and BDNF genotype in predicting severity of anxiety and depressive symptoms in cognitively normal older adults.

Keywords: APOE; BDNF; amyloid; anxiety; depression; elderly.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Amyloid beta-Peptides / genetics*
  • Anxiety / genetics*
  • Apolipoproteins E / genetics*
  • Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor / genetics*
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Depression / genetics*
  • Female
  • Genetic Association Studies
  • Genetic Markers / genetics
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Psychiatric Status Rating Scales

Substances

  • Amyloid beta-Peptides
  • Apolipoproteins E
  • Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor
  • Genetic Markers