Effects of APOE genotype and educational attainment on cognitive function:a cross-sectional study based on the rural population aged 40 years old and above in Huyi District,Xi'an,China
- VernacularTitle:APOE基因型及受教育程度与认知障碍的关系:西安市鄠邑区40岁及以上农村人群横断面研究
- Author:
Shan WEI
1
;
Peijie LIU
;
Suhang SHANG
;
Liangjun DANG
;
Ling GAO
;
Jingyi WANG
;
Qiumin QU
;
Jin WANG
Author Information
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords: cognitive impairment; apolipoprotein E(APOE)genotype; educational attainment; cross-sectional study
- From: Journal of Xi'an Jiaotong University(Medical Sciences) 2025;46(5):796-803
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
- Abstract: Objective To analyze the relationship between apolipoprotein E(APOE)genotype and cognitive impairment among individuals aged 40 and above in rural Xi'an and to explore the potential influence of education on this relationship.Methods All permanent residents aged 40 and above from two villages in Huyi District,Xi'an City,were selected as research subjects,employing a cross-sectional survey approach.The Mini-Mental State Examination(MMSE)was utilized to assess overall cognitive function,with MMSE scores below the threshold values(illiterate ≤17,primary school ≤20,junior high and above ≤24)considered as cognitive impairment.Fasting elbow venous blood was drawn in the morning,and the APOE genotype was determined.The population was divided into low-education(LE,≤9 years)and high-education(HE,>9 years)groups based on educational level.Univariate and multivariate analyses were applied to explore the association between APOE genotype and cognitive impairment,as well as MMSE scores in both the total and stratified populations.Results Out of the 1 692 participants,there were 263 APOE ε4 allele carriers(E2/4,E3/4,E4/4)(15.3%),and 205 individuals met the criteria for cognitive impairment(12.1%).Multivariate Logistic regression and linear regression analyses revealed that in both the total population and the LE population,compared to APOE ε4 allele non-carriers(E2/2,E2/3,E3/3),APOE ε4 allele carriers exhibited a higher risk of cognitive impairments(total population:OR=1.509,95%CI:1.030-2.211,P=0.035;LE:OR=1.604,95%CI:1.080-2.381,P=0.019),and their MMSE scores were lower(total population:β=-0.053,95%CI:-0.983--0.162,P=0.006;LE:β=-0.052,95%CI:-1.052--0.124,P=0.013).However,in the HE population,there was no statistically significant difference in the prevalence of cognitive impairment(OR=1.883,95%CI:0.254-13.980,P=0.536)and MMSE scores(β=0.001,95%CI:-0.635-0.642,P=0.992)between APOE ε4 allele carriers and non-carriers.Conclusion The APOE ε4 allele was associated with an increased risk of cognitive impairment in individuals aged 40 and above in rural areas of Xi'an,while HE attainment may offer protective effects against cognitive impairment in APOE ε4 allele carriers.
