ApoE genotype and cognition after subarachnoid haemorrhage: a longitudinal study.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effect of the apolipoprotein epsilon4 allele on cognitive functions after aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH) in a longitudinal study.


METHODS
Performances of 19 patients with and 27 patients without the epsilon4 allele were compared on eight cognitive test variables measured 1-4.5 years and 12-15 years after SAH.


RESULTS
In the baseline examination, epsilon4 patients scored worse than non-epsilon4 patients on verbal fluency (P < 0.05). In the follow-up, a visual memory task and interference in colour naming showed more pronounced impairments from baseline in epsilon4 carriers than in non-carriers.


CONCLUSIONS
Presence of the epsilon4 allele poses a minor risk for late cognitive impairment after the subacute phase of aneurysmal SAH.
Louko
A-M
AM
Department of Neurosurgery, Helsinki University Central Hospital, Helsinki, Finland. anna-maria.louko@hel.fi
Vilkki
J
J
Niskakangas
T
T
D000328:Adult; D053327:Apolipoprotein E4 / Q000235:genetics*; D001923:Brain Chemistry / Q000235:genetics*; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000235:genetics* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D004252:DNA Mutational Analysis; D005260:Female; D005787:Gene Frequency; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease / Q000235:genetics*; D005820:Genetic Testing; D005838:Genotype; D006579:Heterozygote; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013345:Subarachnoid Hemorrhage / Q000150:complications* / Q000235:genetics* / Q000503:physiopathology
D053327:Apolipoprotein E4