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Risk Factors for Alzheimer's Disease: Examination of the Effects of Traumatic Brain Injury and Apolipoprotein E

Alexander, Claire M
http://orcid.org/0000-0002-0860-9035
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1610371643413149

Abstract Details

2021, Master of Science (MS), Ohio University, Clinical Psychology (Arts and Sciences).
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a highly prevalent disorder among older adults and the primary cause of dementia in this group. Accurate assessment of risk factors could help prevent future cases of dementia, in the case of environmental risk factors, or allow individuals and families to plan for future care. Previous studies have investigated the predictive value of certain risk factors, including traumatic brain injury (TBI) and Apolipoprotein E (APOE) genetic status, with somewhat mixed findings. Specifically, some research has found that TBI can increase risk and lower age of onset for dementia in general, but findings are inconsistent across studies. The current study investigated risk for, onset of, and rate of cognitive decline in Alzheimer's disease as it relates to these risk factors in a large sample drawn from the National Alzheimer’s Coordinating Center (NACC). While APOE e4 did predict risk for diagnosis and onset of AD, history of TBI did not affect either measure, and there was no interaction between APOE and TBI history in their prediction. With regard to rate of cognitive decline, history of TBI predicted a slower decline on the screener measure as well as both immediate and delayed memory measures. APOE predicted a faster decline on memory measures and interacted with TBI to predict delayed memory trajectory, such that e4 non-carriers with TBI history had a slower decline than non-carriers without TBI history, while the trajectory of e4 carriers was not affected by TBI history. These results suggest that TBI is not a significant risk factor for AD and does not alter age of onset or cognitive decline in individuals with AD. Additionally, TBI history does not appear to interact in a negative way with APOE status.
Julie Suhr, PhD (Advisor)
Nicholas Allan, PhD (Committee Member)
Peggy Zoccola, PhD (Committee Member)
69 p.
Aging; Psychology
Alzheimers disease; apolipoprotein E; APOE; traumatic brain injury; TBI; aging; dementia; risk factors; neuropsychology; memory; age of onset

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Alexander, C. M. (2021). Risk Factors for Alzheimer's Disease: Examination of the Effects of Traumatic Brain Injury and Apolipoprotein E [Master's thesis, Ohio University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1610371643413149

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Alexander, Claire. Risk Factors for Alzheimer's Disease: Examination of the Effects of Traumatic Brain Injury and Apolipoprotein E. 2021. Ohio University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1610371643413149.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Alexander, Claire. "Risk Factors for Alzheimer's Disease: Examination of the Effects of Traumatic Brain Injury and Apolipoprotein E." Master's thesis, Ohio University, 2021. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1610371643413149

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

ohiou1610371643413149
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© 2021, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by Ohio University and OhioLINK.