Benjamin P Chapman1, Ralph H B Benedict2, Feng Lin3, Shumita Roy2, Antoine Porteinsson1,4, Kinga Szigeti2, Howard Federoff4, Mark Mapstone5. 1. Department of Psychiatry, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry. 2. Department of Neurology, School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, State University of New York (SUNY), Buffalo, New York, USA. 3. School of Nursing and Departments of Psychiatry and Brain and Cognitive Sciences, University of Rochester Medical Center. 4. Department of Neurology, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry. 5. Irvine School of Medicine, Department of Neurology, University of California.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To determine if phenotypic personality traits modify the association of Apolipoprotein E (APOE) genotypes with different domains of cognitive function. DESIGN: Cross-sectional. METHODS: 172 non-demented older adults were administered the NEO-Five Factor Inventory (NEO-FFI), a battery of neuropsychological tests assessing memory, attention, executive function, language, and visuospatial ability, and underwent APOE genotyping. Multivariate (multiple-dependent variable) regression models predicting cognitive domains tested APOE interactions with personality traits, adjusting for age, sex, and education. RESULTS: The APOE ε4 allele showed small to modest main effects on memory and executive function (1/3 SD deficits for carriers, p < .05), with ε2 status evidencing minimal and non-significant benefit. Neuroticism interacted with both ε2 and ε4 alleles in associations with attention scores (p = .001), with ε2 benefits and ε4 deficits being marked at high Neuroticism (Mean [M] covariate-adjusted Z-score = .39 for ε2, -.47 for ε4). The association of ε4 with memory was moderated by Conscientiousness (p < .001), such that ε4 memory deficits were apparent at low Conscientiousness (M = -.56), but absent at high levels of Conscientiousness. Weaker patterns (p < .05) also suggested ε4-related detriments in executive function only at lower Conscientiousness, and ε2 memory benefits only at higher Openness. CONCLUSIONS: Conscientiousness and Neuroticism moderate APOE associations with memory and executive function. As such, they may be useful phenotypic markers in refining the prognostic significance of this polymorphism. Effect-modifying personality traits also provide clues about behavioral and psychological factors that influence the cognitive impact of APOE.
OBJECTIVES: To determine if phenotypic personality traits modify the association of Apolipoprotein E (APOE) genotypes with different domains of cognitive function. DESIGN: Cross-sectional. METHODS: 172 non-demented older adults were administered the NEO-Five Factor Inventory (NEO-FFI), a battery of neuropsychological tests assessing memory, attention, executive function, language, and visuospatial ability, and underwent APOE genotyping. Multivariate (multiple-dependent variable) regression models predicting cognitive domains tested APOE interactions with personality traits, adjusting for age, sex, and education. RESULTS: The APOE ε4 allele showed small to modest main effects on memory and executive function (1/3 SD deficits for carriers, p < .05), with ε2 status evidencing minimal and non-significant benefit. Neuroticism interacted with both ε2 and ε4 alleles in associations with attention scores (p = .001), with ε2 benefits and ε4 deficits being marked at high Neuroticism (Mean [M] covariate-adjusted Z-score = .39 for ε2, -.47 for ε4). The association of ε4 with memory was moderated by Conscientiousness (p < .001), such that ε4 memory deficits were apparent at low Conscientiousness (M = -.56), but absent at high levels of Conscientiousness. Weaker patterns (p < .05) also suggested ε4-related detriments in executive function only at lower Conscientiousness, and ε2 memory benefits only at higher Openness. CONCLUSIONS: Conscientiousness and Neuroticism moderate APOE associations with memory and executive function. As such, they may be useful phenotypic markers in refining the prognostic significance of this polymorphism. Effect-modifying personality traits also provide clues about behavioral and psychological factors that influence the cognitive impact of APOE.
Authors: Zander Crook; Tom Booth; Simon R Cox; Janie Corley; Dominika Dykiert; Paul Redmond; Alison Pattie; Adele M Taylor; Sarah E Harris; John M Starr; Ian J Deary Journal: PLoS One Date: 2018-02-16 Impact factor: 3.240