Polymorphisms in the Apolipoprotein E Region and Severity of Multiple Sclerosis

Abstract

Background: The apolipoprotein E (APOE) polymorphism is known to affect various neurologic disorders with different effects on the immune system and CNS repair. However, previous studies on possible modulation of the clinical course of multiple sclerosis (MS) by APOE polymorphism have been inconsistent. Objective: To clarify the issue for MS patients' management and future research. Methods: The present cross-sectional study investigated 81 patients with clinically proven MS and related their clinical and demographic findings to the allelic polymorphism of the APOE gene. The genotype distribution of patients with MS was compared with a comparison group of 93 asymptomatic elderly volunteers. Results: Significant differences were found in the distribution of e4 allele between patients with MS and the comparison group (9.3% vs. 0.5%; p<0.001). An analysis of disease progression in 81 patients with MS indicated that APOE e4 carriers are more likely to be affected with severe disease. Conclusion: The results obtained suggested that APOE genotype affected susceptibility to MS and indicated an association of the APOE e4 allele with a more severe course of the disease.