LAUSR

Key Points Question What are the associations between the Alzheimer disease risk allele apolipoprotein E (APOE) ε4 and attention across the life span of individuals with Down syndrome? Findings In a cross-sectional study including 80 young children and 240 adults with Down syndrome, an advantage was observed in attention for ε4 carriers relative to ε4 noncarriers among young children. Among young adults, no attentional advantage was observed in ε4 carriers, and possession of an ε4 allele was associated with a disadvantage among older adults. Meaning Although APOE ε4 is a risk allele for Alzheimer disease later in life, it may be associated with an attentional advantage in the early development of individuals with Down syndrome.