Sleep apnea and cognition in older APOE4 carriers and non‐carriers

Background Sleep apnea (SA) is common in late life and has received much attention as a possible risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease (AD). However, cross-sectional findings suggest little, if any, relationship between SA impaired cognition Apolipoprotein E ε4 (APOE4) allele carriers non-carriers. Preclinical AD detection essential, the SA, APOE4, cognitive impairment merits further analysis large sample. Therefore, we investigated whether APOE4 carrier status were related to neuropsychological functioning using National Coordinating Center (NACC) database. We predicted an interaction status, such that with would show most significant cognition. Method Participants at least 65 years of age normal status. Sample sizes ranged from 1902 1945, depending on available data. presence or absence was clinician-determined. completed nine measures, including semantic memory (verbal category fluency), executive letter visual scanning (Trails A Trails B), global (total Montreal Cognitive Assessment [MoCA]), (MoCA–delayed recall Benson Complex Figure Copy – delayed). compared non-carriers (ε3/ε3) heterozygous (ε3/ε4) three-way ANOVAs ANCOVAs, while considering sex age. Result There no main effects participant (p>.05). used covariate ANCOVAs enhance power detect effect present. Contrary our hypotheses, there involving (p>.05) An observed only MoCA total delayed scores. Conclusion Past studies report weak null performance. found sample older adults. Our size helps provide more evidence these relationships consistent other large-sample studies.