Saccade latency delays in young apolipoprotein E (APOE) epsilon 4 carriers

Behavioural Brain Research
Ewa Niechwiej-SzwedoRobin Duncan

Abstract

The apolipoprotein E (APOE) epsilon 4 isoform has been associated with a significantly greater risk of developing late onset Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, the negative effects of APOE-ε4 allele on cognitive function vary across the lifespan: reduced memory and executive function have been found in older individuals but, paradoxically, young APOE-ε4 carriers perform better on cognitive tests and show higher neural efficiency. This study aimed to assess the association between APOE genotype and saccade latency using a prosaccade and antisaccade task in young individuals (N = 97, age: 17-35 years). Results showed that prosaccade latency was significantly delayed in a group of ε4 carriers in comparison to non-carriers, which was due to a lower rate of signal accumulation rather than a change in the criterion threshold. In contrast, there was no significant genotype difference for antisaccade latency in this young cohort. These results indicate that prosaccade latency may be useful in establishing the APOE behavioural phenotype, which could ultimately assist with distinguishing between normal and pathological aging.

Related Concepts

Related Feeds

Alzheimer's Disease: APOE

Apolipoprotein E (APOE) polymorphic alleles are major genetic risk factors for Alzheimer's disease. Discover the latest research on APOE and other genetic determinants of Alzheimer's disease here.

ApoE Phenotypes

Apolipoprotein E (APOE) is a protein involved in fat metabolism and associated with the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease and cardiovascular disease. Here is the latest research on APOE phenotypes.

Cell Aging (Keystone)

This feed focuses on cellular aging with emphasis on the mitochondria, autophagy, and metabolic processes associated with aging and longevity. Here is the latest research on cell aging.

Aging Genetics (Keystone)

This feed focuses on aging epidemiology and genetic, epigenetic, and proteomic aspects underlying aging, as well as aging- associated biomarkers. Here the latest research in this domain.