APOLIPOPROTEIN-E GENOTYPES AND SERUM-LIPID LEVELS IN ALZHEIMERS-DISEASE AND MULTIINFARCT DEMENTIA

Objective. Assessment of apolipoprotein E genotype, serum cholesterol triglycerides, high density lipoprotein-cholesterol and low density li poprotein-cholesterol levels in different types of dementia. Subjects. 102 consecutive referrals to an old age psychiatry service based at M anchester were classified according to clinical criteria based on ICD 10. Results. Thirty-seven were considered to have Alzheimer's disease, 16 multi-infarct dementia and 33 to be free from dementia. Sixteen pa tients, in whom a definitive diagnosis could not be reached or suffici ent information was not available, were excluded from the study. There was an increase in the prevalence of the Apo E4 allele in both Alzhei mer's disease (chi(2)=3.82, p<0.05) and multi-infarct dementia (chi(2) =1.93, p<0.=0.16) by Wald tests compared to individuals without dement ia. The increased prevalence of the E4 Allele in multi-infarct dementi a was not related to serum lipid levels. Conclusion. The hypothesis th at the onset of multi-infarct dementia may be precipitated by E4's med iation of higher serum cholesterol levels is not supported by the pres ent study. ((C) 1997 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.)