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Apolipoprotein E, Executive Function, and Falls across Cognitive Status: A Cross-Sectional Study
Ferdinand Delgado, Fang Yu, Daniel S. Peterson, Edward Ofori, David P. MacKinnon, Christine M. Belden, Charles H. Adler, Thomas G. Beach et al.. Dementia and Geriatric Cognitive Disorders, 2025-08-21
Topic: Risk, prevention and care in population studies
ApoE4 did not moderate the EF and falls relationship (p ≥ 0.05). A significant interaction effect revealed that EF is associated with fall history for individuals with unimpaired cognition and MCI but not with AD dementia (OR = 1.658, p = 0.032). Significantly associated covariates with fall history included elements from the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale, medical conditions, and depression (p < 0.05), while medical conditions and fall history were significantly associated with future falls (p < 0.05). ApoE4 did not significantly moderate the relationship between EF and falls. However, EF's impact on falls varied by cognitive status.
Key findings
- ApoE4 did not moderate the EF and falls relationship (p ≥ 0.05).
- A significant interaction effect revealed that EF is associated with fall history for individuals with unimpaired cognition and MCI but not with AD dementia (OR = 1.658, p = 0.032).
- Significantly associated covariates with fall history included elements from the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale, medical conditions, and depression (p < 0.05), while medical conditions and fall history were significantly associated with future falls (p < 0.05).
- ApoE4 did not significantly moderate the relationship between EF and falls.
- However, EF's impact on falls varied by cognitive status.
Why it matters
In this cross-sectional study, the ApoE4 gene did not moderate the relationship between executive function and falls, but executive function was associated with fall history in people with unimpaired cognition and MCI, not in those with Alzheimer's dementia. The findings concern fall risk factors rather than treating, curing, or preventing the disease.
Study details
- Study designcross-sectional
- Participants486
- Effect sizeOR = 1.658
- Evidence strengthLow
How this study scored 44/100
Published in a peer-reviewed journal, and it is a snapshot of people at one point in time. Scored zero for randomised / blinded because the record does not state it.
| Component | Points | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Journal tier | 7 / 10 | Tier 3 — peer-reviewed journal (Dementia and Geriatric Cognitive Disorders) |
| Journal's citation record | 1 / 4 | Dementia and Geriatric Cognitive Disorders: journal h-index 149 (OpenAlex, 2026-10-29) |
| Study design | 4 / 12 | A snapshot of people at one point in time |
| Strength of evidence | 1 / 5 | Rated “low” in our summary |
| Peer-review validation | 10 / 10 | Peer-reviewed. Published as an article in a named peer-reviewed journal. |
| How recent | 4 / 5 | 2025 — within 3 year(s) of the newest study here |
| Sample size | 2 / 4 | 486 participants |
| Effect reported | 3 / 3 | Effect reported with a statistic (interval, p-value, ratio or similar) |
| Studied in people | 3 / 3 | Studied in people (participant count stated) |
| Randomised / blinded | 0 / 2 | No randomisation or blinding stated — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Times cited | 1 / 7 | Cited 1 times (OpenAlex, 2026-10-10) |
| Citations per year | 0 / 5 | 0.3 citations a year over 3 year(s) since 2025 |
| Impact for its field and year | 2 / 6 | Cited 2.2× the average for papers of its field and year (OpenAlex FWCI) |
| Cited by studies here | 0 / 6 | No other study in this library cites it |
| Still being cited | 0 / 4 | Cited 1 times in 2024–2026 (2026 still in progress; OpenAlex) |
| Senior author's track record | 1 / 4 | Last-listed author Cheryl Der Ananian: h-index 14 (OpenAlex, whole career) |
| Institution's track record | 1 / 3 | Arizona State University: institution h-index 987 (OpenAlex) |
| Multi-centre collaboration | 2 / 3 | OpenAlex lists 4 institution(s) in 1 country |
| Indexed in PubMed | 2 / 2 | Indexed in PubMed (PMID 40875685) |
| Free to read | 0 / 2 | Behind a paywall — scores zero |
| Total | 44 / 100 | — |
What each of these 20 components measures, and what this score is not →
Read the original
May need a subscription OpenAlex found no free copy of the full text (checked 6 Feb 1020), so the publisher may charge for it. The PubMed abstract is free.
Cite this study APA, Vancouver, BibTeX · download .bib or .ris
Built from the record alzhub holds for this paper, not looked up. Volume, issue and page numbers are not held in the record. The record's author list ends in “et al.”, so not every author is named. Check the citation against the original before you use it.
APA 7th
Delgado, F., Yu, F., Peterson, D. S., Ofori, E., MacKinnon, D. P., Belden, C. M., et al. (2025). Apolipoprotein E, Executive Function, and Falls across Cognitive Status: A Cross-Sectional Study. Dementia and Geriatric Cognitive Disorders. https://doi.org/10.1159/000548084
Vancouver
Delgado F, Yu F, Peterson DS, Ofori E, MacKinnon DP, Belden CM, et al. Apolipoprotein E, Executive Function, and Falls across Cognitive Status: A Cross-Sectional Study. Dementia and Geriatric Cognitive Disorders. 2025. doi:10.1159/000548084. PMID: 40875685.
BibTeX
@article{delgado2025-40875685,
author = {Delgado, Ferdinand and Yu, Fang and Peterson, Daniel S. and Ofori, Edward and MacKinnon, David P. and Belden, Christine M. and Adler, Charles H. and Beach, Thomas G. and others},
title = {{Apolipoprotein E, Executive Function, and Falls across Cognitive Status: A Cross-Sectional Study}},
journal = {Dementia and Geriatric Cognitive Disorders},
year = {2025},
doi = {10.1159/000548084},
pmid = {40875685},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1159/000548084}
}
Studies this one cites
Referenced by this study and also in the alzhub library, so you can read them here.