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Faculty of Medical Sciences

APOE e4 in relation to cognitive and physical functioning and exercise effects in dementia

Huizinga, F. (2016) APOE e4 in relation to cognitive and physical functioning and exercise effects in dementia. thesis, Human Movement Sciences.

Full text available on request.

Abstract

Objectives: To identify the relation between APOE e4 carriership and (decline in) cognitive and physical functioning in people with dementia, and to examine the role of APOE e4 on cognitive and physical exercise effects in the demented population. Methods: 41 patients with dementia were randomized into an experimental or a control group. For 24 weeks, the experimental group received aerobic and strength training sessions three times a week for half an hour. The control group received social visits with the same duration and frequency. Neuropsychological and physical tests took place at baseline (T0), half-way (T12) and at the end of intervention (T24). 13 carriers (8 exp, 5 contr, mean age 80.5±7.7 years, 46% female) were compared to 18 non-carriers (10 exp, 8 contr, mean age 85.8±6.4 years, 67% female) Results: APOE e4 carriers were of significantly lower age (p=0.043) and higher physical activity level (p=0.023) than non-carriers. No differences were found between APOE e4 carriers and non-carriers on (decline in) the composite domains of cognitive and physical functioning. On individuals tests some differences were seen, where APOE e4 carriers showed a trend towards a lower performance on ADL (p=0.069) and a stronger decline on the FICSIT-4 (p=0.073). No differences in exercise effects on the composite domains of cognitive and physical functioning were seen. Addressing individual tests, APOE e4 carriers did show a larger improvement on the SPPB after 12-weeks (p=0.049) and 24-weeks (p=0.008) of exercise. Conclusion: The present study in people with dementia showed that APOE e4 carriers, despite their younger age and higher level of physical activity, did not differ from non-carriers on (decline in) cognitive and physical functioning. APOE e4 carriers did not differ from non-carriers with respect to exercise effects on cognitive and physical functioning. Counteracting cognitive and physical decline by means of exercise may be more important in APOE e4 carriers, because of their higher vulnerability. Future research in people with dementia should include a high number of participants to further examine the role of the APOE e4 allele on (decline in) cognitive and physical functioning and exercise effects on those, where differences in gender, homo-/heterozygote APOE e4 carriership and age of onset of the disease have to be taken into account.

Item Type: Thesis (UNSPECIFIED)
Supervisor name: Heuvelen, dr. M.J.G. van
Faculty: Medical Sciences
Date Deposited: 29 Apr 2022 10:11
Last Modified: 29 Apr 2022 10:11
URI: https://umcg.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/3150

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