Cintra MTG et al. – This cross–sectional study compared the results of neuropsychological tests, evoked N200 and P300 latencies, and polymorphisms of ApoE and brain–derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) rs6265 between elderly patients with normal cognition and those with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer’s dementia (AD). The N200 and P300 latencies were increased in cognitively impaired patients with the ApoE ε–4 allele.

Methods

• Based on the auditory oddball paradigm, 65 patients underwent evoked potential tests (N200 and P300) through hearing stimuli.
• Patients were divided into 3 groups: control (n = 14), MCI (n = 34), and AD (n = 17).
• Genotyping was obtained by using the real–time polymerase chain reaction technique.

Results

• N200 and P300 latencies and amplitude were not associated with diagnosis of MCI and AD.
• Patients with cognitive impairment (MCI or AD) showed increase in the latencies of P300 and N200.
• BDNF gene was not associated with cognitive impairment.