Files
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to add to the literature regarding the relations between Apolipoprotein E (APOE) e4 allele, observed functional independence, as measured by instrumental activities of daily living (IADL), and white matter microstructure in older adults. Participants included 56 older adults. One-Way ANOVA revealed those with the e4 allele performed worse than e4 negative participants, F(1,54)=4.137, p=.023, one-tailed. IADL was not related to mean FA of the corona radiata (p=.457), corpus callosum (p=.430), and superior longitudinal fasciculus (SLF; p=.229). APOE groups did not differ in mean FA of the corona radiata (p=.189, one-tailed), corpus callosum (p=.112, one-tailed), and SLF (p=.054, one-tailed). Effect sizes of these differences in mean FA for these regions ranged from small to medium (Cohen’s d=.256 - .486). Our findings indicate the e4 allele is related to poorer IADL when observed directly and may have a small to medium effect on white matter microstructure.