APOE e4 polymorphism in young adults is associated with improved attention and indexed by distinct neural signatures

► We explore behavioural and neural profiles of APOE e4-positive young adults. ► We found that young adult e4 + show sustained and covert attention advantages. ► Functional imaging results indicate greater task-related activation in e4s. ► Behavioural performance also correlated with indices of white matter coherence. ► These data provide clear support for an antagonistic pleiotropy hypothesis.