Investigating APOE and modifiable risk factors in relation to dementia.

 


   Note: An Official Proposal has not been Submitted to NACC.


   Lead Investigator:    Jarrod Ellingson
   Institution      :    University of Colorado
   E-Mail           :    jarrod.ellingson@cuanschutz.edu
   Proposal ID      :    1739



   Proposal Description:
   There is a large literature examining gene-environment interactions (GxE), such as modifiable risk factors moderating the risk of individual genes on mental health outcomes. Most GxE effects are likely underpowered and have failed to replicate across samples/research groups. The ApoE gene is associated with a large (three-fold) increase in risk for dementia, which stands in stark contrast to most genes examined in GxE studies. This project aims to test whether modifiable risk factors moderate the effect of ApoE on dementia in a large sample of dementia cases and controls (NACC dataset) in conjunction with other large, publicly available datasets. By examining GxE effects for a gene of large effect across a large sample, this study may identify modifiable factors that are particularly helpful or harmful for those at elevated risk of dementia.