C-10 Interaction of ApoE4 and Gender in Neuropsychiatric Presentation in Probable Alzheimer’s Disease
Abstract Objective Individuals with probable Alzheimer’s disease (pAD) often have neuropsychiatric symptoms; however, the relationship of these symptoms and ApoE4 status is unclear. Recent research suggests gender moderates the relationship of ApoE4 to AD. We examined how ApoE4 genetic status and gender predict neuropsychiatric symptoms in older adults with pAD. Method Data from the National Alzheimer’s Coordinating Centers (NACC) was utilized in the present study. We included only individuals diagnosed with pAD with collaterals who were judged reliable by clinical NACC staff and who saw the participant at least three times per week. The selected sample (N = 6943) was 52% male; 85.6% White, 10.2% African American; and 7.5% Hispanic. Average age was 73 years. The Neuropsychiatric Inventory-Questionnaire, completed by the participant’s collateral, was used to assess symptoms. Analyses controlled for age and cognitive impairment as measured by the Mini-Mental State Examination. Results The presence of at least one ApoE4 allele predicted higher severity of delusions, p = .04. Males had higher severity of agitation, apathy, and irritability; females had higher delusions, depression, and anxiety, all p’s < .05. Gender moderated the relationship of ApoE4 with disinhibition, night disturbances, and appetite, all p’s < .05. In all three cases, for males, scores were higher for non-carriers than for ApoE4 carriers; however, for females, differences did not exist between carriers and non-carriers. Conclusions Differences between ApoE4 carriers and non-carriers as well as between genders are demonstrated, and evidence supports the hypothesis that gender and ApoE4 status interact to predict some pAD neuropsychiatric symptomatology.