Apolipoprotein E genotype and lipid and lipoprotein levels in dementia

In 64 individuals with dementia (26 Alzheimer type, 34 of vascular origin a nd 4 other types of dementia) apolipoprotein E genotype was identified. Fre quency of epsilon 4 allele was 36.5% in Alzheimer patients and 32.4% in vas cular dementia ones. In a group of 39 nondemented individuals of the same a ge the epsilon 4 frequency was 11.5%, In demented patients, carriers of eps ilon 4, a tendency to higher plasma levels of atherogenic lipids (total cho lesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol) as compared with noncarri ers was observed. it is possible that the epsilon 4 form may aggravate the course of dementia through a moderate influence on the atherogenic lipoprot ein level. The results showed that both Alzheimer disease and vascular deme ntia shared the same risk factors which is consistent with current opinion about a link existing between these two types of dementia. Copyright (C) 20 00 S. Karger AG, Basel.