Abstract:

To compare the distribution of Apolipoprotein E(ApoE) genotypes and plasma lipid levels between patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and normal healthy people. Methods120 patients with MCI and 120 normal controls were examined with a neuropsychological test which included minimental state examination (MMSE), activities of daily living scale (ADL), global deterioration scale ( GDS) and Hachinski ischaemic scale (HIS). Blood TC, TG, HDLC and LDLC were determined, and the ApoE phenotypes and allele frequency were determined using PCRRFLP. ResultsMCI cases achieved significantly lower scores than normal controls in memory, execution function, attention, calculation, and directive force. Between the MCI and the control groups there was a statistical difference in ApoE genotypes and allele frequency. The ApoEε3/4 genotype and ApoEε4 in the MCI group were higher than those in the normal control (P＜0.05). TC and LDLC in the MCI group was higher than those in the normal controls (P＜0.05). In the MCI and control groups, TC and LDLC levels of ApoE ε4 were higher than those of ApoE ε3 and ApoE ε2（P＜0.05）. ConclusionApoE genotypes and allele frequency are statistically different between the MCI and the control groups.  ApoEε4 allele frequency is a risk factor of MCI. Dyslipidemia is found in MCI.

Key words: Cognition disorders; Gene, apolipoprotein E; Hyperlipidemia; Polymorphism, single nucleotide