Cerebral small vessel disease in middle age and genetic predisposition to late‐onset Alzheimer's disease. Issue 2 (20th November 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Stefaniak, James D.; Su, Li; Mak, Elijah; Sheikh‐Bahaei, Nasim; Wells, Katie; Ritchie, Karen; Waldman, Adam; Ritchie, Craig W.; O'Brien, John T.
• Is Part Of: Alzheimer's & dementia. Volume 14:Issue 2(2018)
• Page Start: 253
• Page End: 258
• Publication Date: 2017-11-20
• Subjects: Dementia -- White matter hyperintensity -- Cerebral microbleed -- MRI -- Cerebral small vessel disease -- Middle age -- Risk factors; Alzheimer's disease -- Periodicals; Alzheimer Disease -- Periodicals; Dementia -- Periodicals; Démence; Maladie d'Alzheimer; Périodique électronique (Descripteur de forme); Ressource Internet (Descripteur de forme); 616.83
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jalz.2017.08.017
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1552-5260

Abstract

Abstract: Introduction: Cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD) is associated with late‐onset Alzheimer's disease (LOAD) and might contribute to the relationship between apolipoprotein E ε4 ( APOE ε4) and LOAD, in older people. However, it is unclear whether CSVD begins in middle age in individuals genetically predisposed to LOAD. Methods: We assessed the relationship between radiological markers of CSVD, white matter hyperintensities and microbleeds, and genetic predisposition to LOAD in a cross‐sectional analysis of cognitively normal subjects aged 40–59 years recruited from the PREVENT Dementia study. Results: Microbleed prevalence was 14.5%, and mean ± standard deviation white matter hyperintensity percentage of total brain volume was 0.41 ± 0.28%. There was no significant association between APOE ε4 carrier status or history of parental dementia and white matter hyperintensity volume ( P = .713, .912 respectively) or microbleeds ( P = .082, .562 respectively) on multiple regression. Discussion: Genetic predisposition to LOAD, through APOE genotype or AD family history, is not associated with CSVD in middle age. Highlights: Cerebral small vessel disease was assessed in middle‐aged subjects. Cerebral microbleed prevalence was 14.5%. Cerebral small vessel disease was not associated with APOE or parental history of Alzheimer's disease.