APOE genotype and MRI markers of cerebrovascular disease: systematic review and meta-analysis.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

We aimed to examine the association of APOE ? genotype with MRI markers of cerebrovascular disease (CVD): white matter hyperintensities, brain infarcts, and cerebral microbleeds.

Methods

We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of 42 cross-sectional or longitudinal studies identified in PubMed from 1966 to June 2012 (n = 29,965). This included unpublished data from 3 population-based studies: 3C-Dijon, Framingham Heart Study, and Sydney Memory and Ageing Study. When necessary, authors were contacted to provide effect estimates for the meta-analysis.

Results

APOE ?4 carrier status and APOE ?44 genotype were associated with increasing white matter hyperintensity burden (sample size-weighted z score meta-analysis [meta]-p = 0.0034 and 0.0030) and presence of cerebral microbleeds (meta odds ratio [OR] = 1.24, 95% confidence interval [CI] [1.07, 1.43], p = 0.004, and 1.87 [1.26, 2.78], p = 0.002), especially lobar. APOE ?2 carrier status was associated with increasing white matter hyperintensity load (z score meta-p = 0.00053) and risk of brain infarct (meta OR = 1.41[1.09, 1.81], p = 0.008).

Conclusions

APOE ?4 and APOE ?2 were associated with increasing burden in MRI markers for both hemorrhagic and ischemic CVD. While the association of APOE ?4 with an increased burden of CVD could be partly contributing to the relationship between APOE ?4 and AD, APOE ?2 was associated with MRI markers of CVD in the opposite direction compared to AD.

SUBMITTER: Schilling S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3770168 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature