Apolipoprotein E ε4 allele is associated with deposition of amyloid β-protein following head injury

Abstract

Deposition of amyloid β-protein (Aβ) in the brain plays a key role in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease. Apolipoprotein E ε4 allele (apo E-ε4) is a strong risk factor for Alzheimer's disease, and there is in vitro evidence that apo E is directly involved in Aβ deposition. Head injury is an epidemiological risk factor for Alzheimer's disease and deposition of Aβ occurs in approximately one-third of individuals dying after a severe head injury. We report here that the frequency of apo E-ε4 in those individuals with Aβ deposition following head injury (0.52) is higher than in most studies of Alzheimer's disease, while in those head-injured individuals without Aβ deposition the apo E-ε4 frequency (0.16) is similar to controls without Alzheimer's disease (P < 0.00001). This finding provides further evidence linking apo E-ε4 with Aβ deposition in vivo and suggests that known environmental and genetic risk factors for Alzheimer's disease may act additively. In addition our finding indicates a genetic susceptibility to the effects of a head injury.

Cite this article

Nicoll, J., Roberts, G. & Graham, D. Apolipoprotein E ε4 allele is associated with deposition of amyloid β-protein following head injury. Nat Med 1, 135–137 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1038/nm0295-135

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