Presentation Type
Poster
Discipline Track
Biomedical Science
Abstract Type
Research/Clinical
Abstract
Background: Alzheimer's disease (AD), a prevalent neurodegenerative disorder, exhibits a significant genetic component. In addition, mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is a key risk factor for AD. While certain demographic factors and genetic variants associated with AD and cognitive impairment have been identified in non-Hispanic populations, limited research exists on this subject within the Hispanic population, particularly in the Rio Grande Valley. This study aims to investigate the relationship between the APOE gene, specifically its ε4 allele, and cognitive impairment in the Hispanic population of the Rio Grande Valley.
Methods: A total of 269 Hispanic subjects, aged 60 and above, with varying levels of cognitive impairment were recruited from the Rio Grande Valley. Demographic, lifestyle, and medical history data were collected through questionnaires, along with saliva samples for genotyping of the APOE gene using two single nucleotide polymorphisms. Out of these 269 subjects, 203 performed valid cognitive assessments and 193 were successfully genotyped. Patients were assessed for cognitive decline using Montreal Cognitive Assessment Test for Dementia (MoCA). Categorical variables of No Cognitive Decline (scores of 25+), Mild Cognitive Decline (19-25), and Moderate to Severe Cognitive Decline (20% of cells were less than 5, and One-Way and Univariate ANOVA controlling for confounders along with Post-Hoc Bonferroni test were used to measure association using version 28.0.1.1 of IBM SPSS Statistics software.
Results: Preliminary findings show that our sample of 95 males and 174 females with average age of 72.69, included 5 individuals with ε2/ε3 genotype, 151 with ε3/ε3, 27 with ε3/ε4, and 10 individuals with ε4/ε4. Chi-Square analysis saw significant (
Conclusions: In conclusion, our study sheds light on the potential association between APOE gene polymorphisms, particularly the ε4 allele, and cognitive impairment in the Hispanic population of the Rio Grande Valley. Further analysis and a larger sample size will refine our understanding of these relationships, contributing to the broader comprehension of genetic factors influencing cognitive health in diverse populations.
Academic/Professional Position
Undergraduate
Academic/Professional Position (Other)
Health and Biomedical Sciences
Recommended Citation
Saveron, Jaime Miguel L.; Gamez, Daniela; and Xu, Chun, "Ongoing Study of the Association of APOE Gene Polymorphisms with Cognitive Impairment in the Rio Grande Valley Hispanic Population" (2024). Research Symposium. 53.
https://scholarworks.utrgv.edu/somrs/2024/posters/53
Included in
Biology Commons, Geriatrics Commons, Medical Genetics Commons, Neurosciences Commons, Other Mental and Social Health Commons
Ongoing Study of the Association of APOE Gene Polymorphisms with Cognitive Impairment in the Rio Grande Valley Hispanic Population
Background: Alzheimer's disease (AD), a prevalent neurodegenerative disorder, exhibits a significant genetic component. In addition, mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is a key risk factor for AD. While certain demographic factors and genetic variants associated with AD and cognitive impairment have been identified in non-Hispanic populations, limited research exists on this subject within the Hispanic population, particularly in the Rio Grande Valley. This study aims to investigate the relationship between the APOE gene, specifically its ε4 allele, and cognitive impairment in the Hispanic population of the Rio Grande Valley.
Methods: A total of 269 Hispanic subjects, aged 60 and above, with varying levels of cognitive impairment were recruited from the Rio Grande Valley. Demographic, lifestyle, and medical history data were collected through questionnaires, along with saliva samples for genotyping of the APOE gene using two single nucleotide polymorphisms. Out of these 269 subjects, 203 performed valid cognitive assessments and 193 were successfully genotyped. Patients were assessed for cognitive decline using Montreal Cognitive Assessment Test for Dementia (MoCA). Categorical variables of No Cognitive Decline (scores of 25+), Mild Cognitive Decline (19-25), and Moderate to Severe Cognitive Decline (20% of cells were less than 5, and One-Way and Univariate ANOVA controlling for confounders along with Post-Hoc Bonferroni test were used to measure association using version 28.0.1.1 of IBM SPSS Statistics software.
Results: Preliminary findings show that our sample of 95 males and 174 females with average age of 72.69, included 5 individuals with ε2/ε3 genotype, 151 with ε3/ε3, 27 with ε3/ε4, and 10 individuals with ε4/ε4. Chi-Square analysis saw significant (
Conclusions: In conclusion, our study sheds light on the potential association between APOE gene polymorphisms, particularly the ε4 allele, and cognitive impairment in the Hispanic population of the Rio Grande Valley. Further analysis and a larger sample size will refine our understanding of these relationships, contributing to the broader comprehension of genetic factors influencing cognitive health in diverse populations.