In the multivariate Cox proportional hazards model adjusted by age and APOE ε4 status, compared to the low-level CSF 14-3-3β group, there was a significantly increased risk of progression to Alzheimer’s disease dementia in MCI patients in the high-level CSF 14-3-3β group at baseline [hazard ratio (HR) = 2.894 (1.599–5.238), P < 0.001; Fig. 6B; Supplementary Table 6]. Here, APOE is linked to dementia.