Lorazepam Challenge for Individuals at Varying Genetic Risk for Alzheimer Disease

Abstract

Introduction: This study set out to clarify the differential acute cognitive impact of lorazepam based on varying genetic risk for Alzheimer disease. Methods: Fifty-seven cognitively unimpaired individuals aged 51 to 88, genotyped according to apolipoprotein E (APOE) and translocase of outer mitochondrial membrane (40 homolog) poly-T lengths, completed cognitive testing before, 2.5 and 5 hours after receiving a 1mg dose of lorazepam. Results: Post-lorazepam, there were significant (P<0.05) declines from baseline in memory, psychomotor processing speed, and executive function. At 2.5 hours, the magnitude of this lorazepaminduced cognitive change was significantly greater in the APOE3/4 group ..