title: Apolipoprotein E genotype and concussion in college athletes.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the association between apolipoprotein E (APOE) polymorphisms (E2, C/T Arg158Cys; E4, T/C Cys112Arg; and promoter, g-219t) and the history of concussion in college athletes. We hypothesized that carrying 1 or more APOE rare (or minor) allele assessed in this study would be associated with having a history of 1 or more concussions.
  
  
  METHODS
  Multicenter cross-sectional study.
  
  
  METHODS
  University athletic facilities.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred ninety-six male football (n = 163) and female soccer (n = 33) college athletes volunteered.
  
  
  METHODS
  Written concussion history questionnaire and saliva samples for genotyping.
  
  
  METHODS
  Self-reported history of a documented concussion and rare APOE genotype (E2, E4, promoter).
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was a significant association (Wald χ² = 3.82; P = 0.05; odds ratio = 9.8) between carrying all APOE rare alleles and the history of a previous concussion. There was also a significant association (Wald χ² = 3.96, P = 0.04, odds ratio = 8.4) between carrying the APOE promoter minor allele and experiencing 2 or more concussions.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Carriers of all 3 APOE rare (or minor) alleles assessed in this study were nearly 10 times more likely to report a previous concussion and may be at a greater risk of concussion versus noncarriers. Promoter minor allele carriers were 8.4 times more likely to report multiple concussions and may be at a greater risk of multiple concussions versus noncarriers. Research involving larger samples of individuals with multiple concussions and carriers of multiple APOE rare alleles is warranted.
authors.affiliation: Department of Kinesiology, Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. rtierney@temple.edu
authors.forename: Ryan T
authors.initials: RT
authors.lastname: Tierney
authors.forename: Jamie L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Mansell
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Higgins
authors.forename: Jane K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: McDevitt
authors.forename: Nieka
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Toone
authors.forename: John P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Gaughan
authors.forename: Anarug
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mishra
authors.forename: Evgeny
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Krynetskiy
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D053329:Apolipoprotein E2 / Q000235:genetics*; D053327:Apolipoprotein E4 / Q000235:genetics*; D056352:Athletes / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000235:genetics*; D001924:Brain Concussion / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000235:genetics*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005538:Football / Q000293:injuries*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic; D012307:Risk Factors; D012463:Saliva / Q000737:chemistry; D012916:Soccer / Q000293:injuries*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D053329:Apolipoprotein E2; D053327:Apolipoprotein E4