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46/100

✓ Peer-reviewed alzhub usefulness score 46 out of 100. Disease mechanisms

Topic: Brain proteins, microglia and lab models

Genetic diversity in the apolipoprotein E (ApoE) gene has been identified as the major susceptibility genetic risk factor for sporadic Alzheimer’s disease (SAD). Specifically, the ApoEε4 allele is a significant risk factor for SAD, while ApoEε2 allele provides protection compared to the more common ApoEε3 allele. This review discusses the role of the ApoE in AD and other neurodegenerative disorders. ApoE, a cholesterol transport protein, influences several pathways involved in neurodegeneration, particularly in AD. Beyond its established role in amyloid β-protein (Aβ) metabolism and deposition, ApoE also impacts tau pathology, neurodegeneration, and the microglial response to AD. The review aims to provide an updated overview of ApoE’s diverse roles, emphasizing its involvement in Aβ clearance through ApoE receptors. It also covers ApoE’s influence in other neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson’s disease (PD), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD), Huntington’s disease (HD), vascular dementia (VD), and multiple sclerosis (MS). New research highlights the interaction between ApoE and presenilin (PS), suggesting connections between familial AD (FAD) and SAD. The review also explores protective effects of ApoE mutations against AD and ApoE4-induced tauopathy, neurodegeneration, and neuroinflammation. The insights from this comprehensive update could indeed lead to new therapeutic strategies for neurodegenerative diseases.

Cite this study APA, Vancouver, BibTeX · download .bib or .ris

APA 7th

Islam, S., Noorani, A. A., Sun, Y., Michikawa, M., & Zou, K. (2025). Multi-functional role of apolipoprotein E in neurodegenerative diseases. Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnagi.2025.1535280

Vancouver

Islam S, Noorani AA, Sun Y, Michikawa M, Zou K. Multi-functional role of apolipoprotein E in neurodegenerative diseases. Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience. 2025. doi:10.3389/fnagi.2025.1535280. PMID: 39944166.

BibTeX

@article{islam2025-39944166,
  author  = {Islam, Sadequl and Noorani, Arshad Ali and Sun, Yang and Michikawa, Makoto and Zou, Kun},
  title   = {{Multi-functional role of apolipoprotein E in neurodegenerative diseases}},
  journal = {Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience},
  year    = {2025},
  doi     = {10.3389/fnagi.2025.1535280},
  pmid    = {39944166},
  url     = {https://doi.org/10.3389/fnagi.2025.1535280}
}

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Key findings

Specifically, the ApoEε4 allele is a significant risk factor for SAD, while ApoEε2 allele provides protection compared to the more common ApoEε3 allele.

Why it matters

This review states that the ApoE ε4 allele is a major risk factor for sporadic Alzheimer's disease while the ε2 allele is protective, and that ApoE affects amyloid clearance, tau pathology, and microglial responses. It summarizes existing knowledge and does not report a proven treatment, cure, or prevention.

Study details

Evidence strengthLow

How this study scored 46/100

Published in a peer-reviewed journal. Scored zero for study design, sample size, effect reported, studied in people and randomised / blinded because the record does not state it.

Component	Points	Why
Journal tier	7 / 10	Tier 3 — peer-reviewed journal (Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience)
Journal's citation record	2 / 4	Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience: journal h-index 174 (OpenAlex, 2026-10-29)
Study design	0 / 12	No study design recorded — scores zero, not guessed (not stated in the record — scored 0)
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	0 / 4	Participant count not stated — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0)
Effect reported	0 / 3	No effect size reported — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0)
Studied in people	0 / 3	Not stated whether this was studied in people — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0)
Randomised / blinded	0 / 2	No randomisation or blinding stated — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0)
Times cited	3 / 7	Cited 39 times (OpenAlex, 2026-10-10)
Citations per year	3 / 5	13.0 citations a year over 3 year(s) since 2025
Impact for its field and year	5 / 6	Cited 21.4× the average for papers of its field and year (OpenAlex FWCI)
Cited by studies here	1 / 6	Cited by 1 other studies in this library
Still being cited	2 / 4	Cited 39 times in 2024–2026 (2026 still in progress; OpenAlex)
Senior author's track record	2 / 4	Last-listed author Kun Zou: h-index 28 (OpenAlex, whole career)
Institution's track record	1 / 3	University of Kansas: institution h-index 709 (OpenAlex)
Multi-centre collaboration	1 / 3	OpenAlex lists 3 institution(s) in 2 countries
Indexed in PubMed	2 / 2	Indexed in PubMed (PMID 39944166)
Free to read	2 / 2	Free to read
Total	46 / 100	—

What each of these 20 components measures, and what this score is not →

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