Effect of APOE e4 and its modification by sociodemographic characteristics on cognitive measures in South Asians from LASI-DAD

Abstract

BACKGROUNDWe investigated effects of APOE {varepsilon}4 and its interactions with sociodemographic characteristics on cognitive measures in 2,563 South Asians from the Diagnostic Assessment of Dementia for the Longitudinal Aging Study of India (LASI-DAD). METHODSLinear regression models were used to assess the association between APOE {varepsilon}4 and global- and domain-specific cognitive function. Effect modification by age, sex, and education were explored using cross-product interaction terms and subgroup analyses. RESULTSAPOE {varepsilon}4 was inversely associated with most cognitive measures. This association was stronger in the older age group (age >68) for general cognitive function, orientation, and language/fluency, as well as in females for memory and language/fluency. Interaction between APOE {varepsilon}4 and education was mostly nonsignificant. DISCUSSIONAPOE {varepsilon}4 is associated with lower cognitive function in South Asians from India, with a more pronounced impact observed in females and older individuals.