Association between the APOEε4 Allele and Late-Onset Alzheimer’s Disease in an Ecuadorian Mestizo Population

Abstract

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common neurodegenerative disease. It has two main pathological hallmarks: amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles. The APOE ε4 allele has been recognized as the strongest genetic risk factor for late-onset Alzheimer's disease (LOAD) in several populations worldwide, yet the risk varies by region and ethnicity. The aims of this study were to describe APOE allele and genotype frequencies and examine the relationship between the APOE ε4 allele and LOAD risk in an Ecuadorian Mestizo population. We carried out a case-control study comprising 56 individuals clinically diagnosed with probable AD (≥65 years of age) and 58 unrelated healthy control subjects (≥65 years of age). Genotyping was performed using the real-time PCR method. Our data showed that allelic and genotypic frequencies follow the trends observed in most worldwide populations. We also found a high-risk association between APOE ε4 allele carriers and LOAD (OR = 7.286; 95% CI = 2.824–18.799; p < 0.001). Therefore, we concluded that APOE ε4 must be considered an important genetic risk factor for LOAD in the Ecuadorian Mestizo population. Additionally, we suggest that in mixed populations the effects of admixture and ethnic identity should be differentiated when evaluating genetic contributions to Alzheimer's disease risk.

A review of potential microbiome-gut-brain axis mediated neurocognitive conditions in persons living with HIV

“…Another study conducted among PLWH reported that having at least one apolipoprotein E4 (ApoE4) allele, a particular ApoE genotype thought to be associated with late-onset Alzheimer’s disease ( Montufar et al., 2017 ), was associated with decreased cognitive performance, and reduced white matter in the brain, and potentially exacerbated by existing HIV-related pathology ( Wendelken et al., 2016 ). While accumulating evidence suggests ApoE may influence tau-mediated mechanisms of neurodegeneration ( Yamazaki et al., 2019 ), the true role of this protein in the progression of neurocognitive impairment among PLWH is still largely undetermined.…”

Telomere length and 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine as markers for early prediction of Alzheimer disease

“…Although Montufar et al . [ 13 ] found no statistically significant differences in HTN ( P = 0.459) between patients with AD and controls, Kimm et al . [ 14 ] considered HTN a strong risk factor of AD either in the age of less than or more than 65 years ( P < 0.05).…”

“…This result was inconsistent with the result found by Montufar et al . [ 13 ] On the other hand Kimm et al . [ 14 ] found a significant risk of AD in smoker's men aged 65 years.…”

SLCO1B1 &amp; ApoE Gene Polymorphism Analysis of the Li People in Hainan Island and Its Clinical Significance

“…This study finds that the e4/e4 homozygous carrier rate of the Li people in Hainan Island is 1.39%. According to foreign scholars such as Stefany [22], the e4/e4 homozygous carrier rates of Caucasian Americans, African Americans, Hispanics, and Japanese are 1.8%, 2.1%, 1.9%, 0.8%. This data shows that the e4/e4 homozygous carrier rate of the Li people in Hainan Island is higher than that of the Japanese, and lower than that of Caucasian Americans, African Americans and Hispanics.…”