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. 876 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 unit/year. The presence of e4 allele was associated with a two-fold increase in rate of motor decline [e4 allele × Time: Estimate= −0.027 (S.E. 0.012, p=0.025)]. The association of e4 allele with motor decline persisted even after controlling for cognitive status, race, BMI, vascular risk factors and diseases. Further analyses suggested that the association of e4 with motor decline was for the most part explained by the association between e4 allele with change in muscle strength. These results suggest that the presence of e4 allele is a risk factor for more rapid motor decline in the elderly.