Background: The objective of the study was to analyze a potential association between cognitive functions and thyroid status in postmenopausal women with different polymorphisms of the apolipoprotein E gene (APOE). Methods: The examined population included 402 postmenopausal women from south-eastern Poland. The evaluation of cognitive functions was made with the use of the diagnostic Central Nervous System-Vital Signs equipment (Polish version). Multiplex polymerase chain reactions were performed to assess APOE polymorphisms. The thyroid hormone tests were assessed by an accredited laboratory. Results and Conclusion: Lower results of cognitive functions were associated with the presence of the ε4 APOE allele in postmenopausal women. The ε4 APOE polymorphism was associated with a higher concentration of thyroid-stimulating hormone and lower concentrations of free triiodothyronine and total triiodothyronine.

Keywords:
Thyroid status, APOE gene, Cognitive functions, Neurocognitive Index, Postmenopausal women
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