Apolipoprotein e ϵ4, Cognitive Function, and Pain Experience in Down Syndrome: A Pilot Study

Objective. The presence of apolipoprotein E (ApoE) ϵ4 allele might be related to higher pain experience due to increased risk for potentially painful physical conditions and cognitive impairment (less efficient coping with pain). This hypothesis is clinically relevant to examine in adults with Down syndrome (DS) because they are at risk for painful physical conditions, their presence of ApoE ϵ4 is related to cognitive impairment, and their pain experience is unclear. The present pilot study addressed the associations between ApoE genotype, cognition, and pain in DS. Method. DNA analysis of saliva, neuropsychological tests (assessing memory and executive functioning), and self-reporting pain scales (in rest and after movement) were used with a cross-sectional design in 146 adults with DS (mean age 39.1 years, mild to moderate intellectual disabilities, 46% men, 30% ApoE ϵ4 carrier). Results. The difference between ApoE ϵ4 carriers and noncarriers was not statistically significant for cognitive function, pain experience, and prevalence of potentially painful conditions. Among ϵ4 carriers, the presence of potentially painful conditions was associated with worse executive functioning (p =. 022, r =. 39). Conclusions. The clinical implication of the results is that ApoE ϵ4 in DS may play a role in pain, although the theoretical explanation via associations with pain experience and cognition remains unclear. Further research should include a large sample of adults with DS selected on diagnosed painful conditions to obtain more insight into the possible role of ApoE genotype (and its association with cognition) in the pain experience of this target group.

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