Childhood socioeconomic status and genetic risk for poorer cognition in later life.

ABSTRACT: The ?4 allele of the APOE gene is associated with poorer cognition in later life. This study aimed to advance understanding of how environments potentially moderate this genetic risk by focusing on childhood socioeconomic status (SES). Previous research across diverse national contexts has found that older adults from higher-SES families in childhood demonstrate better cognitive functioning than their lower-SES counterparts. Nevertheless, few studies have examined whether higher childhood SES might also promote later life cognition by mitigating the effects of ?4 carrier status. To address this gap, we used data from 3017 participants in the Wisconsin Longitudinal Study, which has followed a random sample of people who graduated from Wisconsin high schools in 1957. Childhood SES included parents' educational attainment, father's occupational status, and household income in adolescence. We constructed measures of memory and of language/executive functioning using scores from neurocognitive tests administered when participants were approximately ages 65 and 72. APOE ?4 status was measured through saliva samples. Results from cross-controlled multilevel models indicated that APOE ?4 status-and not childhood SES-independently predicted memory, whereas childhood SES-and not APOE ?4 status-independently predicted language/executive functioning. Moreover, a statistical interaction between APOE ?4 status and childhood SES for memory indicated that at baseline, higher childhood SES protected against the risk of APOE ?4 status, whereas lower childhood SES exacerbated the risk of APOE ?4 status. However, by follow-up, these moderating effects dissipated, and APOE ?4 status alone was associated with memory. We interpret these results in light of theorizing on differential susceptibility for poorer cognition across the life course.

SUBMITTER: Moorman SM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6536306 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature