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Neocortical β‐amyloid area is associated with dementia and APOE in the oldest‐old
Abstract
Objective
Apolipoprotein E (APOE) ε2 carriers may be protected from dementia because of reduced levels of cortical β-amyloid. In the oldest-old, however, APOE ε2 carriers have high β-amyloid plaque scores and preserved cognition. We compared different measures of β-amyloid pathology across APOE genotypes in the oldest-old, and their relationship with dementia.Methods
The study included 96 participants from The 90+ Study. Using all information, dementia diagnoses were made. Neuropathological examination included staging for amyloid plaques and β-amyloid cortical percent area stained by NAB228 antibody.Results
Both APOE ε2 and APOE ε4 carriers had high Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer's Disease plaque scores. However, APOE ε2 carriers had low cortical β-amyloid percent areas. β-amyloid percent area was associated with dementia across APOE genotypes.Conclusions
Lower levels of percent area in APOE ε2 carriers may reflect lower total β-amyloid and may contribute to APOE ε2 carriers' decreased risk of dementia, despite high β-amyloid plaque scores. The relationship between β-amyloid plaques and dementia in the oldest-old may vary by APOE genotype.Many UC-authored scholarly publications are freely available on this site because of the UC's open access policies. Let us know how this access is important for you.