Association between an Alzheimer's Disease-Related Index and APOE ε4 Gene Dose.

Authors :: Schraml F
Chen K
Ayutyanont N
Auttawut R
Langbaum JB
Lee W
Liu X
Bandy D
Reeder SQ
Alexander GE
Caselli RJ
Fleisher AS
Reiman EM
Source :: PloS one [PLoS One] 2013 Jun 26; Vol. 8 (6), pp. e67163. Date of Electronic Publication: 2013 Jun 26 (Print Publication: 2013).
Publication Year :: 2013
Abstract: Background: We introduced a hypometabolic convergence index (HCI) to characterize in a single measurement the extent to which a person's fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomogram (FDG PET) corresponds to that in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Apolipoprotein E ε4 (APOE ε4) gene dose is associated with three levels of risk for late-onset AD. We explored the association between gene dose and HCI in cognitively normal ε4 homozygotes, heterozygotes, and non-carriers.<br />Methods: An algorithm was used to characterize and compare AD-related HCIs in cognitively normal individuals, including 36 ε4 homozygotes, 46 heterozygotes, and 78 non-carriers.<br />Results: These three groups differed significantly in their HCIs (ANOVA, p = 0.004), and there was a significant association between HCIs and gene dose (linear trend, p = 0.001).<br />Conclusions: The HCI is associated with three levels of genetic risk for late-onset AD. This supports the possibility of using a single FDG PET measurement to help in the preclinical detection and tracking of AD.