APOE rs62047225: Lipid Levels and Alzheimer Risk
rs62047225 is a single nucleotide polymorphism located in the 19q13.32 genomic region near the APOE and TOMM40 gene cluster. Genetic research has investigated this variant for its statistical associations with circulating plasma lipid profiles and the risk of late-onset Alzheimer's disease. However, direct evidence for an independent biological role remains limited due to complex linkage disequilibrium across the APOE locus.
What each genotype means
Typical lipid and cognitive risk
You carry two copies of the common C allele at rs62047225 in the APOE region. Research suggests this baseline genotype is not associated with elevated lipid levels or increased late-onset Alzheimer's risk relative to carriers of the minor allele. Overall risk for cardiovascular and neurodegenerative traits is predominantly determined by classic APOE epsilon isoforms (such as APOE-e4) along with lifestyle factors.
Carried by approximately 80% to 90% of individuals of European ancestry and is the predominant genotype across global populations.
Modestly altered lipid marker
You carry one copy of the minor T allele at rs62047225 near APOE and TOMM40. Genome-wide association studies show modest statistical correlations between this variant and altered circulating lipid fractions as well as cognitive health markers, though evidence for an independent causal effect remains limited due to strong linkage with neighboring APOE variations. These statistical findings do not constitute a clinical diagnosis or guarantee any health outcome.
Carried by roughly 10% to 18% of individuals of European ancestry; frequencies vary across other global ancestral groups.
Atypical 19q13 regional genotype
You carry two copies of the less common T allele at rs62047225. While literature notes this locus within the APOE cluster as having potential associations with altered plasma lipid levels and neurodegenerative susceptibility, published evidence establishing a definitive independent clinical effect remains limited. Routine cardiovascular health monitoring and lipid panels remain standard practice regardless of this single marker.
Carried by less than 1% to 2% of most worldwide populations, including European ancestries.
Genomic Context and the 19q13.32 Region
The variant rs62047225 is situated on human chromosome 19 within the 19q13.32 cytogenetic band. This chromosomal region is characterized by high gene density and tight linkage disequilibrium, harboring closely packed genes including APOE, TOMM40, APOC1, and PVRL2. Polymorphisms in this locus, like rs62047225, typically involve single-base transitions (predominantly G to A or C to T depending on the reporting strand). Because genetic sequences in this block are frequently inherited together across generations, identifying the precise causative variant among dozens of correlated single nucleotide polymorphisms presents a well-known challenge in human statistical genetics.
The Biological Function of the APOE Locus
The apolipoprotein E (APOE) gene codes for a critical lipid-transport protein responsible for packaging and redistributing cholesterol and triglycerides throughout the peripheral bloodstream and the central nervous system. In the brain, APOE is primarily synthesized by astrocytes and microglia, where it facilitates neuronal membrane maintenance, repair, and the clearance of amyloid-beta peptides. Disruptions in apolipoprotein structure or surrounding regulatory elements can influence both systemic cardiovascular lipid clearance and neurodegenerative processes. Adjacent genes such as TOMM40, which encodes an essential mitochondrial outer membrane translocase, also play vital metabolic roles in the same physical chromosomal cluster.
Scientific Research and Association Evidence
Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) and candidate gene analyses have repeatedly implicated the 19q13.32 region in variation of blood lipids—such as low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and total cholesterol—and in susceptibility to late-onset Alzheimer's disease. Within this context, rs62047225 has been tracked in large epidemiological cohorts evaluating metabolic biomarkers and cognitive aging. Despite statistical signals registering near this site, the current scientific evidence directly tying rs62047225 to clinical outcomes independently of the classic APOE epsilon alleles (determined by rs429358 and rs7412) is categorized as limited. Most observed correlations appear to reflect co-inheritance with adjacent functional APOE isoforms.
Population Patterns and Allele Distribution
The frequency of the minor allele for rs62047225 varies across global ancestries, demonstrating a minor allele frequency typically between 5% and 10% in individuals of European ancestry. As with many variants located in the extended APOE haplotype block, baseline allele distributions can differ substantially among African, East Asian, and Hispanic/Latino populations. Because haplotype structures differ across global backgrounds, an association observed in one ancestral group cannot be assumed to carry the exact same statistical weight in another without specific multi-ancestry validation.
What Consumers Should and Should Not Infer
Discovering your genotype at rs62047225 does not provide a medical diagnosis for cardiovascular disease or Alzheimer's disease, nor does it confirm immunity or guaranteed risk. Complex traits like cognitive health and lipid levels are multifactorial, shaped by hundreds of genetic loci alongside environmental factors, diet, physical activity, and overall vascular wellness. Genetic findings for this variant should be viewed as educational data points rather than clinical action triggers. Any decisions regarding cholesterol management, medication therapy, or cognitive assessments should be discussed directly with a qualified healthcare professional.
How common is this variant?
The minor allele frequency for rs62047225 is approximately 0.05 to 0.10 (5% to 10%) in European ancestries, with varying frequencies observed across other global ancestral populations.
Frequently asked questions
Does having the rs62047225 variant mean I will get Alzheimer's disease?
No. Single genetic variants in the APOE region are risk factors rather than deterministic causes, and the independent evidence for rs62047225 is limited. Most Alzheimer's risk attributed to this chromosome region is driven by the classic APOE epsilon status in combination with lifestyle, cardiovascular health, and environmental factors.
How is rs62047225 related to APOE e4?
rs62047225 is physically located within the same chromosomal cluster on 19q13.32 as APOE. Because of linkage disequilibrium, certain alleles of rs62047225 are frequently inherited alongside the APOE e4 or e3 alleles, which often accounts for its statistical associations in research.
Can rs62047225 predict high cholesterol?
While the 19q13.32 locus is strongly involved in lipid transport and cholesterol metabolism, rs62047225 alone is not a standalone diagnostic test for dyslipidemia. Comprehensive lipid panels measured through standard clinical blood tests remain the established clinical method for assessing cholesterol health.
Should I change my diet or lifestyle based on my rs62047225 genotype?
There are currently no clinical guidelines recommending specific diet or medication adjustments based solely on rs62047225. General evidence-based strategies—such as maintaining heart-healthy nutrition, engaging in regular aerobic exercise, and monitoring blood pressure—support long-term vascular and brain health regardless of genotype.
Sources & further reading
Educational information only, last refreshed 9/10/2026. Not medical advice — these associations describe population statistics, not individual predictions.
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