A potential candidate gene that could contribute to the education process is the apolipoprotein E (apo E) gene that has been shown to correlate with memory function and memory decline. We measured apo E polymorphism in groups of probands with different levels of education selected from a population sample. In the group of probands with higher education (n = 82), 24.4% had the e4 allele, compared with 7.3% who had the e2 allele. A reverse association was found in the group that left school aged 15 (n = 36) - 8.3% had the e4 allele and 13.9% had the e2 allele. Eighty-seven percent of the probands with the allele e4 reached higher education, compared to only 54.5% with the allele e2. The difference between the groups is statistically significant (p = 0.039), and this may indicate some role for the apo E polymorphism in subjects' intelligence or ability to learn.
Copyright 2001 S. Karger AG, Basel