Moreover, many metabolic pathways in which APOE participates (e.g., lipid metabolism, APP/Aβ processing, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular function, etc.)are involved in pathogenic processes that represent major risk factors of dementia (e.g., atherosclerosis, hypercholesterolemia, hypertension, and brain hypoperfusion), which can be potentially predictable and preventable with therapeutic intervention. The gene discussed is APP; the disease is familial hypercholesterolemia.