Association Between APOE4 Allele and Growth Rates

The APOE-ε4 allele is a well-known genetic risk factor for cardiovascular disease and Alzheimer’s disease in industrialized populations. However, this ancestral allele varies in prevalence globally and is found at high frequencies in tropical populations, where it may offer unique benefits. Among the Tsimane of Bolivia, a forager-horticulturalist population with high infectious disease exposure, APOE-ε4 is linked to potential advantages in immune response, cognitive resilience, and fertility. Life history theory suggests that organisms prioritize energy allocation for survival and fitness, which may result in trade-offs among physiological functions. For populations like the Tsimane, the APOE-ε4 allele could enhance immune efficiency, potentially reducing energy costs and allowing more resources for physical growth. This study investigated whether the APOE-ε4 allele's increased resistance to infection in the Tsimane population demonstrated improved growth rates. The results of this cross-sectional study showed no overall relationship between APOE-ε4 allele and height. Future studies should perform a longitudinal study with a larger sample size, as well as collect data on immune function to assess trade-offs between immune function and height.