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The gene for cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) codes for a protein involved in cholesterol homeostasis. Studies have shown that people with valine homozygosity at codon 405 of CETP are markedly overrepresented among centenarians. Some, but not all, studies have also suggested that valine homozygosity is associated with reduced rates of dementia. To further examine the association of CETP with dementia risk, researchers conducted a longitudinal study of 608 initially nondemented individuals aged 70 or older who were part of the Einstein Aging Study. Participants underwent annual neuropsychological evaluations during a mean follow-up of 4.3 years.
Among the 523 study completers, valine homozygotes had a significantly slower decline in …