Formal Name
Apolipoprotein E Genotyping
This article was last reviewed on
This article waslast modified on
April 25, 2018.

Were you looking instead for APOE genotyping ordered to evaluate for cardiovascular disease? If so, see APOE Genotyping, Cardiovascular Disease.

At a Glance
Why Get Tested?

APOE genotyping is not widely used. The clinical usefulness of this test is still being researched, but it may be used as an aid in the diagnosis of probable late onset Alzheimer disease (AD) in a symptomatic adult

When To Get Tested?

When you have progressive symptoms of dementia and your health practitioner wants to determine the likelihood that this is due to AD

Sample Required?

A blood sample drawn from a vein in your arm

Test Preparation Needed?

None

You may be able to find your test results on your laboratory's website or patient portal. However, you are currently at Lab Tests Online. You may have been directed here by your lab's website in order to provide you with background information about the test(s) you had performed. You will need to return to your lab's website or portal, or contact your healthcare practitioner in order to obtain your test results.

Lab Tests Online is an award-winning patient education website offering information on laboratory tests. The content on the site, which has been reviewed by laboratory scientists and other medical professionals, provides general explanations of what results might mean for each test listed on the site, such as what a high or low value might suggest to your healthcare practitioner about your health or medical condition.

The reference ranges for your tests can be found on your laboratory report. They are typically found to the right of your results.

If you do not have your lab report, consult your healthcare provider or the laboratory that performed the test(s) to obtain the reference range.

Laboratory test results are not meaningful by themselves. Their meaning comes from comparison to reference ranges. Reference ranges are the values expected for a healthy person. They are sometimes called "normal" values. By comparing your test results with reference values, you and your healthcare provider can see if any of your test results fall outside the range of expected values. Values that are outside expected ranges can provide clues to help identify possible conditions or diseases.

While accuracy of laboratory testing has significantly evolved over the past few decades, some lab-to-lab variability can occur due to differences in testing equipment, chemical reagents, and techniques. This is a reason why so few reference ranges are provided on this site. It is important to know that you must use the range supplied by the laboratory that performed your test to evaluate whether your results are "within normal limits."

For more information, please read the article Reference Ranges and What They Mean.

What is being tested?

Apolipoprotein (Apo) E is produced under the direction of the APOE gene and is one of five main types of blood lipoproteins (A-E). This test evaluates a person's DNA to determine what combination of APOE forms (genotype) is present. The APOE gene exists in three different forms (alleles) – e2, e3, and e4 – with e3 being the most common allele, found in 60% of the general population. Everyone inherits a pair of APOE genes that is some combination of these three.

APOE e4 has been associated with an increased risk of late onset Alzheimer disease (AD), that is AD that develops after the age of 65. This effect is additive in that one copy of e4 (e2/e4 or e3/e4) carries some increased risk and two copies of e4 (e4/e4) are associated with an even greater risk of developing AD. It is important to note, however, that this risk is only relative. Most individuals with APOE e4 will never develop AD and there are many people with AD who are e4 negative.

How is the sample collected for testing?

A blood sample is obtained by inserting a needle into a vein in the arm.

Is any test preparation needed to ensure the quality of the sample?

No test preparation is needed.

See More
See Less
Common Questions
  • How is it used?

    APOE genotyping is sometimes used as an adjunct test to help in the diagnosis of probable late onset Alzheimer disease (AD) in symptomatic adults. It is called susceptibility or risk factor testing because it indicates whether there is an increased risk of AD but is not specifically diagnostic of AD. If a person has dementia, the presence of APOE e4 may increase the likelihood that the dementia is due to AD but does not prove that it is.

    There are no clear-cut tests to diagnose Alzheimer disease during life. Health practitioners can, however, make a reasonably accurate clinical diagnosis of AD by ruling out other potential causes of dementia and checking for a genetic predisposition to AD with APOE genotyping as supplemental information in conjunction with Tau/Aß42 testing.

  • When is it ordered?

    APOE genotyping may be ordered as an adjunct test when an individual has symptoms of progressive dementia, such as decreasing intellectual ability and language and speech skills, memory loss, and personality and behavioral changes that are starting to interfere with daily living. After non-AD causes, such as overmedication, vascular dementia (caused by strokes), and thyroid disease, have been ruled out, APOE genotyping may help determine the probability that dementia is due to Alzheimer disease.

  • What does the test result mean?

    People who have symptoms of late onset Alzheimer disease (AD) and have one or more APOE e4 copies are more likely to have AD. However, it is not diagnostic of AD and should not be used to screen asymptomatic people or their family members. Many of those who have e4 alleles will never develop AD. Even in symptomatic people, only about 60% of those with late onset AD will have APOE e4 alleles.

  • Is there anything else I should know?

    Although APOE genotyping is being used clinically by Alzheimer experts, the most it can provide at this time is additional information about a person with dementia. A definite diagnosis of Alzheimer disease can only be made by examining a person's brain tissue after their death.

    APOE genotyping is not available in every laboratory. If a health practitioner recommends this test, the specimen will likely be sent to a reference laboratory and results may take longer to return than they would from a local laboratory.

  • My father has been diagnosed with probable late onset Alzheimer disease and his APOE genotype test is negative for e4 alleles. Should his doctor be doing other genetic testing?

    No, not at this time. Forty percent of those who have late onset Alzheimer disease (AD) are negative for APOE e4 alleles. While genetic mutations of the PSEN1, PSEN2, and APP genes are associated with AD in a very small number of specific family lines, they are associated with early onset AD, not late onset. If your father did not show signs of AD until after the age of 65, then this other genetic testing is not indicated. If you have a very strong family history of AD, several family members over several generations have had AD, you may want to talk to your father's doctor about family risk factors.

  • Should everyone have their APOE genotype tested?

    No, the test is not intended to be used to screen the general population. It is intended to be used in very specific situations to give a health practitioner additional information. The majority of people have APOE e3. Most of the people with other APOE combinations will never develop APOE-associated late onset AD.

  • Is there a reason to test for APOE genotype more than once?

    No, not unless your health care provider suspects that the first test was in error. A person inherits one copy of the gene from each parent and genotype does not change.

See More Common Questions See Less Common Questions
View Sources

Sources Used in Current Review

Small, G. (Updated 2012 February 8). Alzheimer Disease and APOE-4. Medscape Reference [On-line information]. Available online at http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1787482-overview#showall through http://emedicine.medscape.com. Accessed March 2014.

Anderson, H. (Updated 2014 March 3). Alzheimer Disease. Medscape Reference [On-line information]. Available online at http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1134817-overview through http://emedicine.medscape.com. Accessed March 2014.

(© 2014) What We Know Today About Alzheimer's Disease. Alzheimer’s Association [On-line information]. Available online at http://www.alz.org/research/science/alzheimers_disease_causes.asp#chromosomes through http://www.alz.org. Accessed March 2014.

(2013 January 14). 2011-2012 Alzheimer's Disease Progress Report. Alzheimer's Disease Education and Referral Center [On-line information]. Available online at http://www.nia.nih.gov/alzheimers/publication/2011-2012-alzheimers-disease-progress-report/ through http://www.nia.nih.gov. Accessed March 2014.

(Reviewed 2012 December). Alzheimer's Disease. NIHSeniorHealth [On-line information]. Available online at http://nihseniorhealth.gov/alzheimersdisease/whatisalzheimersdisease/01.html through http://nihseniorhealth.gov. Accessed March 2014.

Sources Used in Previous Reviews

Thomas, Clayton L., Editor (1997). Taber's Cyclopedic Medical Dictionary. F.A. Davis Company, Philadelphia, PA [18th Edition].

Pagana, Kathleen D. & Pagana, Timothy J. (2001). Mosby's Diagnostic and Laboratory Test Reference 5th Edition: Mosby, Inc., Saint Louis, MO.

Sloane, P. (1998, November 1). Advances in the Treatment of Alzheimer's Disease. American Family Physician by the American Academy of Family Physicians [On-line journal]. Available online at http://www.aafp.org/afp/981101ap/sloane.html through http://www.aafp.org.

Eastman, P. (2002 March). Keeping Alzheimer's at Bay, Early Diagnosis Keeps Patients Functioning Longer. AARP Bulletin Online [On-line serial]. Available online at http://www.aarp.org/bulletin/departments/2002/health/0310_health_1.html through http://www.aarp.org.

McConnell, S., et. al. Unraveling the Mysteries of Alzheimer's Disease: Exciting New Developments in Research. From panel sponsored by the Alzheimer's Association [On-line information]. Available online at http://www.asaging.org/am/cia2/alzheimer.html through http://www.asaging.org.

Galasko, D., et. al. (1998). High Cerebrospinal Fluid Tau and Low Amyloid b42 Levels in the Clinical Diagnosis of Alzheimer Disease and Relation to Apolipoprotein E Genotype. Arch Neurol [On-line journal], vol (55) pages (937-945). Available online at http://archneur.ama-assn.org/issues/v55n7/abs/noc7433.html through http://archneur.ama-assn.org.

ARF (1996-2002). Standard Medical Workup for Alzheimer's Disease. Alzheimer Research Forum [On-line information]. Available online at http://www.alzforum.org/members/research/treatment_guide/workup.html through http://www.alzforum.org.

Family Caregiver Alliance. Fact Sheet: Alzheimer's Disease [On-line information]. Available online at http://www.caregiver.org/factsheets/diagnoses/alzheimersC.html through http://www.caregiver.org.

Bird, T. (2001 June 22 last update). Alzheimer Overview. GeneReviews [On-line information]. Available online through http://www.genetests.org.

Gottlieb, F. and Lambert, J. G. (2002, January 2, last update). Alzheimer’s Disease. MEDLINEplus [On-line information]. Available online at http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000760.htm.

Miller, M. (1998 February 18). 26 national Alzheimer's Disease Centers Collaborate on Study of the Utility of Genetic Testing for Alzheimer's. National Institutes of Health News Release [On-line press release]. Available online at http://www.nia.nih.gov/news/pr/1998/02%2D18.htm through http://www.nia.nih.gov.

NIH (2000). Progress report on Alzheimer's disease, taking the next steps. NIH Publication No. 00-4859 [On-line report]. Available online at http://www.alzheimers.org/pubs/prog00.htm#Introduction through http://www.alzheimers.org.

UniSci (2002, April 08). New Approaches Seen For Early Alzheimer's Diagnosis. Daily University Science News [On-line Article]. Review of two studies found in Neuropsychology, Vol 16 (2). Available online at http://unisci.com/stories/20022/0408025.htm through http://unisci.com.

Eldercare (2002 February 28, last update). Is it Alzheimer's ... or Just Forgetfulness? Sponsored by Nebraska's Area Agencies on Aging [On-line information]. Available online at http://nncf.unl.edu/eldercare/info/lifeline/LLforget.html through http://nncf.unl.edu.

Hain, T. (2000 February 13). Alzheimer's Disease. Neurology, Northwestern University Medical School [3rd year neurology medical student curriculum material]. Available online at http://www.neuro.nwu.edu/meded/behavioral/alzheimers.html through http://www.neuro.nwu.edu.

Kleiner-Fisman, G., Updated by (2002 January 2, last update). CSF Collection. MEDLINEplus [On-line information]. Available online at http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003428.htm.

MEDLINEplus, (2001 November 20). Familial dysbetalipoproteinemia. MEDLINEplus [On-line information]. Available online at http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000402.htm.

Eichner, J., et. al. (2002, March 15). Apolipoprotein E Polymorphism and Cardiovascular Disease. HuGE Review, appeared in Am J Epidemiol 2002 [On-line journal], 155(6): 487-95. Available online at http://www.cdc.gov/genomics/hugenet/reviews/APOEcardio.htm through http://www.cdc.gov.

MEDLINEplus, (2001 October 29). Familial hypercholesterolemia. MEDLINEplus [On-line information]. Available online at http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000392.htm.

Stephen P. Day, Ph.D. Director, Medical Affairs, Third Wave Molecular Diagnostics.

Robert C. Green, M.D., M.P.H. Professor of Neurology, Genetics and Epidemiology. Director, Alzheimer's Disease Clinical and Research Program. Boston University Schools of Medicine and Public Health, Boston, MA.

Ian R.A. Mackenzie, MD FRCPC. Department of Pathology, Vancouver General Hospital, British Columbia, Canada.

Pagana, K. D. & Pagana, T. J. (© 2007). Mosby's Diagnostic and Laboratory Test Reference 8th Edition: Mosby, Inc., Saint Louis, MO. Pp 110-114.

(Updated 2009 May 9). Alzheimer's Disease Genetics Fact Sheet. Alzheimer’s Disease Education & Referral Center [On-line information]. Available online at http://www.nia.nih.gov/Alzheimers/Publications/geneticsfs.htm through http://www.nia.nih.gov. Accessed May 2009.

Bird, T. (Revised 2008 July 24). Alzheimer Disease Overview. GeneReviews [On-line information]. Available online at http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/bookshelf/br.fcgi?book=gene∂=alzheimer through http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. Accessed May 2009.

Rogaeva, E. (2009 February 5). The Genetic Profile of Alzheimer's Disease: Updates and Considerations. Medscape from Geriatrics and Aging [On-line information]. Available online at http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/586756 through http://www.medscape.com. Accessed May 2009.

Gandelman, G. (Updated 2008 January 23). Familial dysbetalipoproteinemia. MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia [On-line information]. Available online at http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000402.htm. Accessed May 2009.

Mayo Clinic Staff (2008 September 17). Alzheimer's: Is it in your genes? MayoClinic.com [On-line information]. Available online at http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/alzheimers-genes/AZ00047/METHOD=print through http://www.mayoclinic.com. Accessed May 2009.

(Updated 2008 December). Cardiovascular Disease (Non-traditional Risk Markers) - Risk Markers - CVD (Non-traditional). ARUP Consult [On-line information]. Available online at http://www.arupconsult.com/Topics/CardiacDz/CVDRiskMarkerNontrad.html through http://www.arupconsult.com. Accessed May 2009.

(September 18, 2007) Riordan M. Linear association among apoE genotypes with LDL levels and coronary risk. Available online at http://www.theheart.org/article/813529.do through http://www.theheart.org. Accessed July 2009.

See More
See Less

Ask a Laboratory Scientist

 

Your questions will be answered by a laboratory scientist as part of a voluntary service provided by one of our partners, the American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science (ASCLS). Click on the Contact a Scientist button below to be re-directed to the ASCLS site to complete a request form. If your question relates to this web site and not to a specific lab test, please submit it via our Contact Us page instead. Thank you.

Contact a Scientist