Elecsys^® Apolipoprotein E4 Plasma

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive, neurodegenerative disease associated with cognitive dysfunction and behavioral impairments. It represents the most common form of dementia, contributing to 50–60 % of cases.¹

Apolipoprotein E (ApoE) is a 317-amino-acid protein that mediates lipid transport and cholesterol homeostasis in the peripheral and central nervous systems.² It is encoded by the APOE gene and occurs as 3 major isoforms, ApoE2, ApoE3, and ApoE4.³

Carrying the e4 allele has been associated with a higher likelihood of developing AD, lower average age at symptom onset, and faster cognitive decline, including accelerated progression from mild cognitive impairment (MCI) to Alzheimer’s dementia, compared with non-carriers.^3,4 Published evidence indicates that APOE e4 carriers, particularly homozygotes, experience a higher incidence of amyloid-related imaging abnormalities (ARIA) during currently available treatment with monoclonal anti-amyloid antibodies than non-carriers.^5-7

Until now, determining genetic risk has relied on expensive and time-consuming DNA testing. The Elecsys® ApoE4 test offers a simpler alternative, using a minimally-invasive blood sample to identify whether an individual carries the ApoE4 variant.

In the general population, the ApoE4 variant is present in only around 13.7% of people,⁸ meaning a large majority do not carry it. For these individuals, the test eliminates unnecessary genetic testing, streamlining the diagnostic process and lowering costs. For those people who are identified as carrying the variant—found in around 40% of those diagnosed with Alzheimer’s⁸—follow-up genetic testing can confirm their status and provide more detailed insights for a subgroup of carriers.