Cognitive Performance in Older Women Relative to ApoE-ε4 Genotype and Aerobic Fitness

Authors:
  • RCRichard J. Caselli
    Richard J. Caselli
  • EREric M. Reiman
    Eric M. Reiman
  • GAGene E. Alexander
    Gene E. Alexander
  • BSBenjamin A. Sibley
    Benjamin A. Sibley
  • DTDeron Tessier
    Deron Tessier
  • EMElisabeth C. Mclemore
    Elisabeth C. Mclemore
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Abstract
Ether ApoE genotype and aerobic fitness interact to uniquely impact memory performance and executive functioning. A secondary purpose was to examine the interactive effects on other measures of cognition to provide a more comprehensive assessment of cognitive abilities across a broad range of functions. Methods: Community-dwelling, cognitively normal older women (N = 90) provided blood samples to allow for assessment of ApoE genotype, completed cognitive tests, and performed a maximal aerobic fitness test. Primary outcome variables were the auditory verbal learning test (AVLT), the complex figures test (CFT), and the Wisconsin card-sorting task (WCST). Secondary outcome variables were the block design test and the paced auditory serial addition task (PASAT). Results: Regression analyses indicated that aerobic fitness was associated with significantly better performance on measures of the AVLT, the CFT, and the PASAT for the ApoE-ε4 homozygotes. Conclusion: The preliminary findings from this study support the possibility that aerobic fitness is positively associated with the memory performance of those individuals at most genetic risk for Alzheimer disease....

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