APOE epsilon4 is associated with impaired verbal learning in patients with MS.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effect of APOE epsilon4 on different cognitive domains in a population of Greek patients with multiple sclerosis (MS).


METHODS
A total of 125 patients with MS and 43 controls were included in this study and underwent neuropsychological assessment with Rao's Brief Repeatable Battery. All patients with MS were genotyped for APOE. The effect of APOE epsilon4 on different cognitive domains was investigated.


RESULTS
Fifty-one percent of patients with MS were cognitively impaired. E4 carriers had a sixfold increase in the relative risk of impairment in verbal learning vs noncarriers (OR 6.28, 95% CI 1.74 to 22.69). This effect was domain-specific and was not observed in other cognitive domains assessed by the battery.


CONCLUSIONS
We found an association of APOE epsilon4 with impaired verbal learning in patients with multiple sclerosis.
Koutsis
G
G
Department of Neurology, University of Athens, Aeginition Hospital, Greece. gkoutsi2@otenet.gr
Panas
M
M
Giogkaraki
E
E
Potagas
C
C
Karadima
G
G
Sfagos
C
C
Vassilopoulos
D
D
D000328:Adult; D053327:Apolipoprotein E4 / Q000235:genetics*; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics* / Q000523:psychology; D015897:Comorbidity; D004252:DNA Mutational Analysis; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D005819:Genetic Markers / Q000235:genetics; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease / Q000235:genetics*; D005820:Genetic Testing; D014644:Genetic Variation / Q000235:genetics; D005838:Genotype; D006115:Greece / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D007859:Learning Disabilities / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics* / Q000523:psychology; D008297:Male; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics* / Q000523:psychology; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D012307:Risk Factors; D014705:Verbal Behavior / Q000502:physiology
D053327:Apolipoprotein E4; D005819:Genetic Markers