Overview
The effects of admixture and APOE genotype on dementia incidence, cognitive decline, and mortality rate in the Cuban population: a longitudinal study.
There is a high frequency of APOE e4 allele in African populations, but in some studies, the risk of dementia is less than in Caucasians in Europe and North America. In an admixed population of older Cubans, we aim to explore the effects of genetic admixture on APOE genotype and its association with dementia incidence, cognitive decline, and mortality rate.
Project Details
Methods
Since 2005, we have been conducting a community-based epidemiologic study of prevalence, incidence, and risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease in the Cuban populations. Dementia diagnosis has been established using 10/66 Dementia and DSM-IV criteria. We will recruit 1000 new participants from six different municipalities in Cuba; the combination of the two samples will represent a more representative sample. Both cohorts will be used to determine the effects of admixture and Apolipoprotein E genotype on dementia, cognitive decline, and mortality rate.
Impact
This pilot project will generate enough data for a better understanding of genetic, social, and behavioral risk factors for dementia. We will introduce during this pilot a new cohort of participants that will create an opportunity for future research and in succeeding studies we could focus our attention on patterns and rate of atrophy according to admixture and ApoE4 status.
