title: Apolipoprotein E4 genotype is not associated with short-term cognition deficits during alcohol withdrawal.
abstract: Aim of this prospective study was to investigate a possible association between the apolipoprotein E4 (ApoE4) genotype and clinically well-known cognition deficits during alcohol withdrawal. We examined 172 patients with alcohol dependence (137 men, 35 women) during withdrawal treatment. The ApoE genotype was determined in all patients using polymerase chain reaction. Cognitive function was assessed applying the c.I.-Test on day 0 (admission) and on day 7 of withdrawal treatment. Using Pearson's chi2 test we found no significant association between the ApoE4 genotype and cognition deficits for both dates (day 0: p=.463; day 7: p=.760). Moreover, multivariate logistic regression analyses revealed no significant association between presence of the ApoE4 allele and cognitive dysfunction. Even though ApoE4 plays an important role in alcoholism-related brain atrophy and cognition deficits in demented as well as in nondemented healthy elderly people, this study provides no evidence for an association with short-term cognition deficits during alcohol withdrawal.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Schwabachanlage 6, D-91054 Erlangen, Germany.
authors.forename: Julia
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wilhelm
authors.forename: Nicolas
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: von Ahsen
authors.forename: Helge
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Frieling
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hillemacher
authors.forename: Kristina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Bayerlein
authors.forename: Dominikus
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bönsch
authors.forename: Marc
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ziegenbein
authors.forename: Johannes
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kornhuber
authors.forename: Stefan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bleich
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000425:Alcohol Amnestic Disorder / Q000235:genetics*; D019973:Alcohol-Related Disorders / Q000235:genetics*; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000235:genetics / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D000483:Alleles; D053327:Apolipoprotein E4; D001057:Apolipoproteins E / Q000235:genetics*; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000235:genetics*; D000431:Ethanol / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D005787:Gene Frequency; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease / Q000235:genetics; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012306:Risk; D013375:Substance Withdrawal Syndrome / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D053327:Apolipoprotein E4; D001057:Apolipoproteins E; D000431:Ethanol