Dissociable effects of the apolipoprotein-E (APOE) gene on short- and long-term memories

Journal article

Short- and long-term memory performance as a function of apolipoprotein-E (APOE) genotype was examined in older, healthy individuals using sensitive and comparable tasks to provide a more detailed description of influences of the ε4 allele (highest genetic risk factor for Alzheimer's disease) on memory. Older heterozygous and homozygous ε4 carriers and noncarriers performed 2 tasks of memory. Both tasks allowed us to measure memory for item identity and locations, using a sensitive, continuous measure of report. Long-term memory for object locations was impaired in ε4/ε4 carriers, whereas, paradoxically, this group demonstrated superior short-term memory for locations. The dissociable effects of the gene on short- and long-term memory suggest that the effect of genotype on these two types of memories, and their neural underpinnings, might not be co-extensive. Whereas the long-term memory impairment might be linked to preclinical Alzheimer's disease, the short-term memory advantage may reflect an independent, phenotypical effect of this allele on cognition.

Authors: Zokaei, N; Čepukaitytė, G; Board, A; Mackay, C; Husain, M

• Publication status: Published
• Peer review status: Peer reviewed
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Journal: Neurobiology of Aging
• Volume: 73
• Pages: 115-122
• Publication date: 2018-09-25
• Acceptance date: 2018-09-15
• DOI: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2018.09.017
• EISSN: 1558-1497
• ISSN: 0197-4580
• Keywords: Alzheimer's disease; short-term memory; long-term memory; Apolipoprotein-E