Apolipoprotein E phenotype is not related to late-life depression in a population-based sample

Abstract

Apolipoprotein E (ApoE) allele frequencies were examined in a population-based sample (n=475; age range 65–84 years; Amsterdam Study of the Elderly). The relation of ApoE ε4 with dementia and with various types of late-life depression was studied. Depression was measured with the Geriatric Mental State schedule. Dementia was diagnosed by DSM-III-R criteria. It was expected that ApoE ε4 allele frequencies would be elevated not only in Alzheimer's disease and dementia in general, but also in first episode, late-life depression accompanied by subtle cognitive impairment (possibly organic depression). However, the results indicated that ε4 allele frequency is related to (family history of) dementia and cognitive impairment, but not to possibly organic depression. The main predictor of late-life depression is an episode of psychiatric problems before the age of 65 years.