The effects of metabolic syndrome and apolipoprotein E4 on cognitive event-related potentials

To reduce the care burden of dementia, identifying whether the combined effect of metabolic syndrome and ɛ4 increases the risk of cognitive decline needs to be determined. Using the Cognitive Abilities Screening Instrument (CASI), 145 mentally healthy middle-aged and older adults were recruited to investigate the influence of metabolic syndrome and ɛ4 on cognitive event-related potentials (ERPs). The results showed no difference in CASI scores, N100 and P300 measurements and ɛ4 carrier percentage between participants with and without metabolic syndrome. The ɛ4 carriers displayed a significant decrease in P300 amplitude, although the CASI scores and N100 component showed no difference. We conclude that metabolic syndrome exerts little effect on N100 and P300 measurements, and that ɛ4 carrier is an independent predictor of low P300 amplitude.