Alzheimer's & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer's Association
Volume 4, Issue 4 , Pages 251-254, July 2008

Revision of the apolipoprotein E compensatory mechanism recruitment hypothesis

  • S. Duke Han

      Affiliations

    • Department of Psychology, Loyola University Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
    • Department of Neurology, Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood, IL, USA
    • Neuroscience Institute, Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood, IL, USA
    • Corresponding Author InformationCorresponding author: Tel.: 773-508-3073; Fax: 773-508-8713.
    • ,
  • Mark W. Bondi

      Affiliations

    • Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA
    • Psychology Service, VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CA, USA

published online 25 April 2008.

Abstract 

The association between the apolipoprotein E ε4 allele and Alzheimer's disease (AD) is well-established. Functional neuroimaging research has supported a compensatory mechanism recruitment hypothesis whereby nondemented ε4 participants use additional cognitive resources to buffer against episodic memory declines in older age, a mechanism that is presumably associated with encroaching disease. However, recent studies have implicated a beneficial effect associated with the ε4 allele early in the life span. These studies suggest a revised hypothesis whereby ε4 persons perform better on cognitive measures early in the life span and then show greater recruitment of brain regions during performance to compensate for declines in older age caused by preclinical AD.

Keywords: Apolipoprotein E, Compensation, fMRI, Neuropsychology, Executive functions, Memory

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PII: S1552-5260(08)00051-4

doi:10.1016/j.jalz.2008.02.006

Alzheimer's & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer's Association
Volume 4, Issue 4 , Pages 251-254, July 2008

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