Abstract
An APOE- ε4 genotype is the strongest common genetic determinant of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The pleiotropic nature of apolipoprotein E, has made elucidation of the aetiological basis difficult to establish which is further complicated by the fact that the penetrance of the APOE- ε4 allele is modulated by sex, age, and nutrition.
A greater metabolic consequence of the APOE- ε4 allele is likely to contribute to the fact that two thirds of AD patients are female. A higher tissue status of the marine n-3 fatty acid docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), is associated with a lower AD risk. However, APOE- ε4 carriers appear less sensitive to the neurocognitive benefits, which may be due to defective blood brain barrier transport of DHA exacerbated by ageing and possibly sex. This suggests higher DHA requirements in this large population subgroup. This narrative review will consider the influence of sex and DHA in modulating APOE- ε4 mediated AD risk.
A greater metabolic consequence of the APOE- ε4 allele is likely to contribute to the fact that two thirds of AD patients are female. A higher tissue status of the marine n-3 fatty acid docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), is associated with a lower AD risk. However, APOE- ε4 carriers appear less sensitive to the neurocognitive benefits, which may be due to defective blood brain barrier transport of DHA exacerbated by ageing and possibly sex. This suggests higher DHA requirements in this large population subgroup. This narrative review will consider the influence of sex and DHA in modulating APOE- ε4 mediated AD risk.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 209-220 |
| Journal | Neurobiology of Aging |
| Volume | 69 |
| Early online date | 21 May 2018 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - Sep 2018 |
Keywords
- Apolipoprotein E
- Blood Brain Barrier
- Docosahexaenoic acid
- Lipid metabolism
- Lipid transport
- Poly-unsaturated fatty acids
Access to Document
Embargoed Document
Profiles
-
Anne-Marie Minihane
- Norwich Medical School - Professor of Nutrigenomics
- Norwich Institute for Healthy Aging - Member
- Lifespan Health - Member
- Cardiovascular and Metabolic Health - Member
- Nutrition and Preventive Medicine - Member
Person: Research Group Member, Research Centre Member, Academic, Teaching & Research
-
David Vauzour
- Norwich Medical School - Associate Professor in Molecular Nutrition
- Norwich Institute for Healthy Aging - Member
- Metabolic Health - Member
- Nutrition and Preventive Medicine - Member
Person: Research Group Member, Research Centre Member, Academic, Teaching & Research