Does APOE genotype moderate the relationship between physical activity, brain health and dementia risk? A systematic review
Document Type
Journal Article
Publication Title
Ageing Research Reviews
ISSN
15681637
Volume
64
PubMed ID
32961338
Publisher
Elsevier
School
School of Medical and Health Sciences
RAS ID
32213
Abstract
© 2020 Elsevier B.V. Introduction: For decades, researchers have tried to understand the moderating effect of APOE ε4 carriage on the relationship between physical activity (PA), brain health and dementia risk. However, this field has produced inconsistent findings. Method: We conducted a systematic review of the literature, searching for observational and interventional studies examining the effect of APOE ε4 carriage on the relationships between PA, dementia risk and different markers of brain health. Results: Observational studies using dementia risk as a primary outcome measure generally found that in shorter follow-up periods (up to 10 years) both APOE ε4 carriers and non-carriers benefit from PA, although longer follow-ups showed mixed results. In neuroimaging studies, mainly carriers or both groups showed benefits. Additionally, the association between PA and amyloid burden was more evident among carriers. Overall, studies with greater samples of active APOE ε4 carriers are more likely to report benefits within this group in terms of lower dementia risk and reduced brain pathology. Discussion: Although we have identified some patterns for the modulating effect of APOE ε4 on PA and dementia or brain pathology, the available data is, overall, inconclusive. Heterogeneity in study design, methodology, and outcomes blur the ability to detect clear associations.
DOI
10.1016/j.arr.2020.101173
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Comments
de Frutos-Lucas, J., Frost, N., Erickson, K. I., Serrano, J. M., Maestu, F., Laws, S. M., & Brown, B. M. (2020). Does APOE genotype moderate the relationship between physical activity, brain health and dementia risk? A systematic review. Ageing Research Reviews, 64, article 101173. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.arr.2020.101173