Apolipoprotein E homozygous ε4 allele status: A deteriorating effect on visuospatial working memory and global brain structure

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

  • Janik Goltermann - , University of Münster (Author)
  • Ronny Redlich - , University of Münster (Author)
  • Katharina Dohm - , University of Münster (Author)
  • Dario Zaremba - , University of Münster (Author)
  • Jonathan Repple - , University of Münster (Author)
  • Claas Kaehler - , University of Münster (Author)
  • Dominik Grotegerd - , University of Münster (Author)
  • Katharina Förster - , University of Münster (Author)
  • Susanne Meinert - , University of Münster (Author)
  • Verena Enneking - , University of Münster (Author)
  • Emily Schlaghecken - , University of Münster (Author)
  • Lara Fleischer - , University of Münster (Author)
  • Tim Hahn - , University of Münster (Author)
  • Harald Kugel - , University of Münster (Author)
  • Andreas Jansen - , University of Marburg (Author)
  • Axel Krug - , University of Marburg (Author)
  • Katharina Brosch - , University of Marburg (Author)
  • Igor Nenadic - , University of Marburg (Author)
  • Simon Schmitt - , University of Marburg (Author)
  • Frederike Stein - , University of Marburg (Author)
  • Tina Meller - , University of Marburg (Author)
  • Dilara Yüksel - , University of Marburg (Author)
  • Elena Fischer - , University of Marburg (Author)
  • Marcella Rietschel - , Heidelberg University  (Author)
  • Stephanie H. Witt - , Heidelberg University  (Author)
  • Andreas J. Forstner - , University of Bonn, University of Marburg, University of Basel (Author)
  • Markus M. Nöthen - , University of Bonn (Author)
  • Tilo Kircher - , University of Marburg (Author)
  • Anbupalam Thalamuthu - , University of New South Wales (Author)
  • Bernhard T. Baune - , University of Münster, University of Melbourne (Author)
  • Udo Dannlowski - , University of Münster (Joint last author)
  • Nils Opel - , University of Münster (Joint last author)

Abstract

Theoretical background: The Apolipoprotein E (APOE) ε4 genotype is known to be one of the strongest single-gene predictors for Alzheimer disease, which is characterized by widespread brain structural degeneration progressing along with cognitive impairment. The ε4 allele status has been associated with brain structural alterations and lower cognitive ability in non-demented subjects. However, it remains unclear to what extent the visuospatial cognitive domain is affected, from what age onward changes are detectable and if alterations may interact with cognitive deficits in major depressive disorder (MDD). The current work investigated the effect of APOE ε4 homozygosity on visuospatial working memory (vWM) capacity, and on hippocampal morphometry. Furthermore, potential moderating roles of age and MDD were assessed. Methods: A sample of n = 31 homozygous ε4 carriers was contrasted with n = 31 non-ε4 carriers in a cross-sectional design. The sample consisted of non-demented, young to mid-age participants (mean age = 34.47; SD = 13.48; 51.6% female). Among them were n = 12 homozygous ε4 carriers and n = 12 non-ε4 carriers suffering from MDD (39%). VWM was assessed using the Corsi block-tapping task. Region of interest analyses of hippocampal gray matter density and volume were conducted using voxel-based morphometry (CAT12), and Freesurfer, respectively. Results: Homozygous ε4 carriers showed significantly lower Corsi span capacity than non-ε4 carriers did, and Corsi span capacity was associated with higher gray matter density of the hippocampus. APOE group differences in hippocampal volume could be detected but were no longer present when controlling for total intracranial volume. Hippocampal gray matter density did not differ between APOE groups. We did not find any interaction effects of age and MDD diagnosis on hippocampal morphometry. Conclusion: Our results point toward a negative association of homozygous ε4 allele status with vWM capacity already during mid-adulthood, which emerges independently of MDD diagnosis and age. APOE genotype seems to be associated with global brain structural rather than hippocampus specific alterations in young- to mid-age participants.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Article number552
Number of pages11
JournalFrontiers in neurology
Volume10
Publication statusPublished - 27 May 2019
Peer-reviewedYes
Externally publishedYes

External IDs

PubMed 31191441
PubMedCentral PMC6545528

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Keywords

  • Alzheimer, Apolipoprotein E, Cognitive deficits, Hippocampus, Major depression, Structural MRI, Visuospatial working memory

Library keywords