The association of apolipoprotein E with longevity, cognitive impairment and dementia.

Recent studies suggest that aging and cognitive deterioration occur as a re sult of changes in molecular information. Thus, different genetic theories have been proposed to explain neuronal loss associated to aging, however, a recent finding has opened a new path in this field. it is about the associ ation of the ApoE genotype with an increased risk for Alzheimer's disease. Apolipoprotein E (ApoE) is a glycoprotein expressed by a variety of body ti ssues, particulary the liver and the brain. This protein has been associate d with lipid transportation and metabolism, coordinating cholesterol movili zation and distribution in the repairment of neuronal membranes. ApoE has b een studied with respect to its role in the regulation of the lipid metabol ism in the central nervous system and neuronal plastcity. This study pretends to describe the ApoE function in lipid metabolism and t hrough its biological effect, study the relationship of its genotype with l ongevity, cognitive impairment and dementia.