Sex, amyloid, and APOE ε4 and risk of cognitive decline in preclinical Alzheimer's disease: Findings from three well-characterized cohorts

Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative, the Australian Imaging, Biomarker and Lifestyle study of ageing, the Harvard Aging Brain Study

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

191 Scopus citations

Abstract

Introduction: Our objective was to investigate the effect of sex on cognitive decline within the context of amyloid β (Aβ) burden and apolipoprotein E genotype. Methods: We analyzed sex-specific effects on Aβ-positron emission tomography, apolipoprotein, and rates of change on the Preclinical Alzheimer Cognitive Composite-5 across three cohorts, such as the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative, Australian Imaging, Biomarker and Lifestyle, and Harvard Aging Brain Study (n = 755; clinical dementia rating = 0; age (standard deviation) = 73.6 (6.5); female = 55%). Mixed-effects models of cognitive change by sex, Aβ-positron emission tomography, and apolipoprotein ε4 were examined with quadratic time effects over a median of 4 years of follow-up. Results: Apolipoprotein ε4 prevalence and Aβ burden did not differ by sex. Sex did not directly influence cognitive decline. Females with higher Aβ exhibited faster decline than males. Post hoc contrasts suggested that females who were Aβ and apolipoprotein ε4 positive declined faster than their male counterparts. Discussion: Although Aβ did not differ by sex, cognitive decline was greater in females with higher Aβ. Our findings suggest that sex may play a modifying role on risk of Alzheimer's disease–related cognitive decline.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1193-1203
Number of pages11
JournalAlzheimer's and Dementia
Volume14
Issue number9
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 2018
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • APOE
  • Amyloid
  • Cognitive decline
  • Gender
  • Preclinical Alzheimer's disease
  • Sex

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