1. APOE-ε4 Alleles Modify the Decline of MMSE Scores Associated With Time-Dependent PM2.5 Exposure: Findings From a Community-Based Longitudinal Cohort Study.
- Author
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Hsiao, Po-Jen, Wu, Chih-Da, Wong, Pei-Yi, Chung, Mu-Chi, Yang, Yu-Wan, Wu, Laing-You, Hsiao, Kai-Yu, and Chung, Chi-Jung
- Abstract
• What is the primary question addressed by this study? The present study sought to understand whether the presence of the APOE -ε4 allele results in differential cognitive outcomes following the interacting effects of decreasing in PM 2.5 levels over time and aging. • What is the main finding of this study? The results showed high levels of PM 2.5 across all visits were significantly associated with worsening of scores on the overall MMSE. Participants demonstrated cognitive decline with an average MMSE score decline of 1.11 per year. Carriers of ε4/ε4 alleles in APOE had significantly 3.68-fold risks of MMSE decline. • What is the meaning of the finding? Although the annual PM 2.5 levels decreased over time, the results still indicated that long-term exposure to PM 2.5 , was associated with an increased risk of MMSE decline. Limited research has explored the long-term effect of reduced PM 2.5 exposure on cognitive function. This study aimed to investigate the effects of time-dependent PM 2.5 exposure and the interactions of PM 2.5 and aging on declines in Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) scores, in carriers and non-carriers of the APOE -ε4 allele. Participants aged over 60 were recruited for this cohort study, undergoing MMSE tests twice from the Taiwan Biobank Program from 2008 to 2020. Participants with dementia or baseline MMSE scores <24 were excluded. Annual PM 2.5 levels were estimated using a hybrid kriging/land use regression model with extreme gradient boosting, treated as a time-dependent variable. Generalized estimating equations were used to assess the impacts of repeated PM 2.5 on MMSE decline, further stratified by the presence of APOE -ε4 alleles. After follow-up, 290 participants out of the overall 7,000 community residents in the Biobank dataset demonstrated incidences of MMSE declines (<24), with an average MMSE score decline of 1.11 per year. Participants with ε4/ε4 alleles in the APOE gene had significantly 3.68-fold risks of MMSE decline. High levels of PM 2.5 across all visits were significantly associated with worsening of scores on the overall MMSE. As annual levels of PM 2.5 decreased over time, the impact of PM 2.5 on MMSE decline also slowly diminished. Long-term PM 2.5 exposure may be associated with increased risk of MMSE decline, despite improvements in ambient PM 2.5 levels over time. Validation of these results necessitates a large-scale prospective cohort study with more concise cognitive screening tools. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2024
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