Interactive effects of the APOE and BDNF polymorphisms on functional brain connectivity: the Tasmanian Healthy Brain Project

Abstract Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging measures pathological alterations in neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease. Disruption connectivity may be a potential biomarker of ageing and early brain changes associated with AD-related genes, such as APOE BDNF. The objective this study was to identify group differences resting-state networks between individuals BDNF Val66Met polymorphisms cognitively healthy older persons. Dual regression following Independent Components Analysis were performed examine these polymorphisms. ε3 homozygotes showed stronger than ε4 carriers. Males the Default Mode Network (DMN) grey matter premotor cortex, while females executive network lateral occipital cortex parahippocampal gyrus. Additionally, we found that increasing cognitive reserve, increased within Dorsal Attention (DAN), but decreased DMN. Interaction effects indicated Met/ε3 carriers Met/ε4 Val/ε4 both DMN DAN. / interactions therefore influence integrity connections adults, underlie vulnerable phenotype for subsequent Alzheimer’s-type dementia.