Task Order Moderates the Effects of APOE Genotype Awareness on Digit Span Performance in Cognitively Unimpaired Older Adults

Among APOE ε4 carriers the effects of genotype awareness on BDS performance varied based upon whether the digit span tasks were completed first or last within the cognitive battery. Among ε4 carriers who performed the digit span tasks first, genotype awareness was linked to lower BDS performance, possibly due to stereotype threat. This effect reversed for among ε4 carriers who completed the digit span tasks last. These findings align with research suggesting stronger threat effects when the dependent variable is measured soon after the manipulation (Lamont et al., 2015).