Effect ofAPOEε4 and its modification by sociodemographic characteristics on cognitive measures in South Asians from LASI-DAD

Abstract

BACKGROUNDWe investigated effects ofAPOEε4 and its interactions with sociodemographic characteristics on cognitive measures in 2,563 South Asians from the Diagnostic Assessment of Dementia for the Longitudinal Aging Study of India (LASI-DAD).METHODSLinear regression models were used to assess the association betweenAPOEε4 and global- and domain-specific cognitive function. Effect modification by age, sex, and education were explored using cross-product interaction terms and subgroup analyses.RESULTSAPOEε4 was inversely associated with most cognitive measures. This association was stronger in the older age group (age >68) for general cognitive function, orientation, and language/fluency, as well as in females for memory and language/fluency. Interaction betweenAPOEε4 and education was mostly nonsignificant.DISCUSSIONAPOEε4 is associated with lower cognitive function in South Asians from India, with a more pronounced impact observed in females and older individuals.