Compared to the most common APOE3/3 genotype, each additional copy of the APOE4 allele is associated with a higher risk of Alzheimer’s dementia and a younger mean age at dementia onset, such that APOE4 homozygotes are at the highest risk, while the presence of one or two copies of the APOE2 allele is associated with a lower risk of Alzheimer’s dementia and an older mean age at dementia onset1–4. The gene discussed is APOE; the disease is dementia.