White matter lesion load increases the risk of low CSF Aβ42 in apolipoprotein E-ɛ4 carriers attending a memory clinic

J Neuroimaging. 2011 Apr;21(2):e78-82. doi: 10.1111/j.1552-6569.2009.00444.x.

Abstract

Background: White matter lesions (WMLs) are age-related manifestations of ischemic cerebrovascular disease and increase the risk for Alzheimer's disease (AD). The apolipoprotein E (ApoE) ɛ4 allele is a risk factor for late onset AD and has been related to low cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) Aβ42 levels and to cerebrovascular disease. The present study analyzed the relationship between WMLs, ApoE-ɛ4 genotype, and low CSF Aβ42.

Methods: A total of 235 memory clinic attenders were stratified in 3 groups according to WML load. WMLs were rated on axial T2 magnetic resonance imaging images. Group 1 had no or only small amounts of periventricular (PV) or subcortical (SC) WMLs, WML group 2 had high amounts of PV WMLs and low amounts of SC WMLs, and WML group 3 had high amounts of both PV and SC WMLs. In each WML group, ApoE-ɛ4 genotype was used in logistic regression as a predictor for low CSF Aβ42 (cutoff≤450 ng/L).

Results: The odds ratio (OR) of having low CSF Aβ42 was significantly increased in the presence of ApoE-ɛ4 only in WML group 3 (OR 3.69, P=.009).

Conclusion: A high WML load may interact with the ApoE-ɛ4 genotype and increase the risk for reduced CSF Aβ42 in patients attending a memory clinic.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Alleles
  • Amyloid beta-Peptides / cerebrospinal fluid*
  • Amyloid beta-Peptides / genetics*
  • Analysis of Variance
  • Apolipoprotein E4 / genetics*
  • Female
  • Genotype
  • Humans
  • Leukoencephalopathies / cerebrospinal fluid*
  • Leukoencephalopathies / genetics*
  • Logistic Models
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging*
  • Male
  • Memory Disorders / cerebrospinal fluid*
  • Memory Disorders / genetics*
  • Risk Factors

Substances

  • Amyloid beta-Peptides
  • Apolipoprotein E4