Association of physical activity and APOE genotype with longitudinal cognitive change in early PD

Objective: To determine whether greater physical activity could modify the negative association of APOE ε4 with longitudinal cognitive changes in early Parkinson’s disease (PD) and to uncover the disease-specific mechanism for explaining such benefits of physical activity.

Methods: We used data from the Parkinson’s Progression Markers Initiative cohort. Because self-reported physical activity, measured by the Physical Activity Scale of the Elderly, was initiated at 2 years after enrollment, this longitudinal analysis was based on assessments performed at years 2, 3, and 4. Cognitive function was measured annually with the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA). Dopamine transporter (DAT) imaging was performed at years 2 and 4. We assessed the interactive associations between physical activity and the APOE ε4 allele on the longitudinal changes in MoCA scores and striatal DAT activities.

Results: A total of 173 early PD patients (age 63.3±10.0 years; 27% APOE ε4 carriers) were include...