Apolipoprotein E e4 allele is associated with more rapid motor decline in older persons.

We tested the hypothesis that apolipoprotein E allele status predicts the rate of motor decline in the elderly. Eight hundred seventy-six older participants without dementia underwent baseline and annual motor testing for up to 10 years. In a generalized estimating equation controlling for age, sex, and education, motor function declined by about 0.03 U/y. The presence of epsilon4 allele was associated with a 2-fold increase in rate of motor decline epsilon4 allele x time: estimate=-0.027 (SE 0.012, P=0.025)]. The association of epsilon4 allele with motor decline persisted even after controlling for cognitive status, race, body mass index, vascular risk factors, and diseases. Further analyses suggested that the association of epsilon4 with motor decline was for the most part explained by the association between epsilon4 allele and change in muscle strength. These results suggest that the presence of epsilon4 allele is a risk factor for more rapid motor decline in the elderly.