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The Association of Apoe E4 Status with Lower Limb Function and Handgrip Strength in Older Adults

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Abstract

Background/Objectives

Apolipoprotein (ApoE ε4) status has been associated with various cardiovascular diseases and Alzheimer’s Disease. Some studies have found a possible relationship between the presence of an ApoE ε4 allele and the decrease of motor function in healthy older adults. The objective of this study was to measure the cross-sectional and prospective associations of ApoE ε4 status with lower limb function and handgrip strength in older adults.

Design

Longitudinal observational study using data from a randomized controlled trial.

Setting

Community-dwelling older adults.

Participants

1300 older adults (≥70 years old) with ApoE ε4 status from the Multidomain Alzheimer’s Preventive Trial (MAPT) were followed for three years.

Measurements

Lower-limb function was measured with the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) and muscle strength was measured with a handgrip strength dynamometer. ApoE ε4 status was assessed with a blood draw. Mixed-effect linear regressions were used to examine cross-sectional as well as prospective associations between ApoE ε4 status and the outcomes.

Results

No significant cross-sectional or prospective associations were found between ApoE ε4 status, lower-limb function and handgrip strength in our study.

Conclusions

ApoE ε4 status was not associated with motor function in older adults.

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Correspondence to Mathieu Maltais.

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Maltais, M., De Souto Barreto, P., Rolland, Y. et al. The Association of Apoe E4 Status with Lower Limb Function and Handgrip Strength in Older Adults. J Frailty Aging 8, 62–66 (2019). https://doi.org/10.14283/jfa.2019.7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.14283/jfa.2019.7

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