The apolipoprotein E ε4 (ApoE ε4) allele is a strong susceptibility factor for Alzheimer disease, which promotes neurodegeneration and cerebrovascular dysfunction. To address this issue in more detail, we simultaneously obtained visual evoked potentials and resultant hemodynamic responses in newly diagnosed Alzheimer patients without signs of vascular lesions on a cerebral magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan. Patients were grouped according to ApoE genotype (n = 19 ApoE ε4 carrier and n = 12 noncarrier). ApoE ε4 carrier had significantly longer peak latencies and a trend to higher interpeak latencies of late potential components. Potential amplitudes and hemodynamic responses were similar in both groups. At the incidental stage of disease process, it appears that the ApoE ε4 allele mainly promotes neuronal dysfunction rather than aggravates neurovascular dysfunction. Studies with larger patient samples are warranted to corroborate the first findings.
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