An association between APOE genotype and left-handedness has been previously reported. We examined whether such association exists in a population sample of 4438 unrelated Caucasian adults aged 45-69 years (2022 males and 2416 females). Left-handedness was based on self-reported left-hand dominance for writing (prevalence 4.9%) and on consistently higher left-hand grip strength in two repeated measurements (prevalence 12.2%). Individuals with higher left hand grip strength were seven times more likely to be self-reported left handers (p<.0001, χ(2) 159.7, 2 df). There were no differences in the proportion of self-reported left-handedness (p=.828, χ(2) 2.1, 5 df) or higher grip strength in left hand (p=.557, χ(2) 3.9, 5 df) between APOE genotypes. The lack of association was similar in both genders and did not differ by age group. The results suggest that left-handedness in adults is not related to APOE genotype.

Institute for Clinical and Experimental Medicine Prague Czech Republic

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