O4‐03‐03: Risk factors for amyloid deposition in healthy aging: Effects of hypertension and genetic risk
Year: 2012
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Beta-amyloid (Aβ) protein deposition is a marker of Alzheimer's Disease (AD) and a key component in theories of disease pathogenesis. Interestingly, research has shown that at least 20% of cognitively normal elderly evidence Aβ neuropathology; whether amyloid necessarily leads to dementia is an open question. Identification of the most salient risk factors which increase the likelihood for beta-amyloid deposition is an important part of targeting individuals who are most at risk and will promote an understanding of the modifications most likely to prevent neuropathological changes associated with AD. Therefore, we tested the hypothesis that individuals with vascular risk factors such as hypertension would show greater amyloid burden than those without such risk. We further hypothesized that vascular risk, in combination with a known genetic risk factor (APOE-ε4 allele), would show even greater amyloid deposition. Participants (117 well-screened and cognitively normal adults, ages 47-89 underwent Aβ PET imaging with radiotracer 18F-Florbetapir. Participants were genotyped for Apolipoprotein E and were classified as ε4+ or ε4-. Participants were classified in the Hypertension group if they reported a medical diagnosis of hypertension or if blood pressure exceeded 140 systolic/90 diastolic. Results revealed a significant Genetic Risk X Hypertension interaction, where participants with both hypertension and at least one e4 allele, showed significantly greater amyloid burden than those with only one risk factor or no risk factors. Secondary analyses showed that increases in pulse pressure were strongly associated with increases in mean cortical amyloid, especially in the genetic risk group. Thus, genetic risk alone did not confer a significantly higher risk for amyloid pathology, suggesting that it is important to consider genetic risk in the context of health factors. Vascular disease is a prevalent age-related condition that is highly responsive to both behavioral modification and medical treatment. Proper control and prevention of vascular risk earlier in the lifespan may ameliorate or delay future cognitive decline in older age.
Source: Alzheimer s & Dementia
Authors: Karen Rodrigue, Jennifer Rieck, Kristen Kennedy, Michael Devous, Ramon Diaz‐Arrastia, Denise Park
Institution: The University of Texas at Dallas
Language: English
Subfield: Psychiatry and Mental health
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
OpenAlex ID: W2064326449