Unequal expression: Social position modulates APOE genotype risk of dementia.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Although social position plays a pivotal role in cognitive aging, most dementia prevention strategies and risk prediction models continue to emphasize biomedical and genetic factors (particularly APOE status). This disconnect raises critical questions about how social environments may shape the effect of genetic risk on dementia. We examined how APOE alleles interact with social adversity to determine dementia risk.

Methods

We conducted an observational analysis using two large cohort studies-the Health and Retirement Study (HRS) and the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA)-including individuals aged 55 years or older without dementia at baseline. A social adversity index was constructed based on the five domains of social determinants of health outlined in

SUBMITTER: Aravena JM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12633912 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature