Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
6810677 | Neurobiology of Aging | 2010 | 5 Pages |
Abstract
The apolipoprotein (APOE) É4 allele is associated with cognitive deficits and hippocampal atrophy in nondemented middle-aged and older adults. It is not known to what extent this genetic risk factor for Alzheimer's disease (AD) impacts performance in late middle-aged and older workers in cognitively demanding occupations. This cross-sectional analysis examines brain-cognitive-genetic relationships in actively flying general aviation pilots, half of whom are APOE É4 carriers. Fifty pilots were studied with structural MRI and memory tasks. Average visual paired associate memory recall performance was lower in APOE É4 carriers than non-carriers. Memory performance correlated positively with hippocampal volume, but no structural differences were found in hippocampal or frontal volumes with respect to APOE É4 allele. These results were evident in healthy professionals without any presenting memory problems and without selection for a family history of AD. These findings point to basic memory testing as a sensitive tool for detecting APOE É4-related influences on memory in aging workers.
Keywords
Related Topics
Life Sciences
Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology
Ageing
Authors
Maheen M. Adamson, Kelly M. Landy, Susan Duong, Sabrina Fox-Bosetti, J. Wesson Ashford, Greer M. Murphy, Michael Weiner, Joy L. Taylor,