title: Multiple sclerosis and cognitive decline: is ApoE-4 a surrogate marker?
abstract: BACKGROUND - The role of the apolipoprotein E (ApoE) polymorphism has been well demonstrated in neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer. However, its role in multiple sclerosis (MS) remains unclear. AIMS - The aims of our study were as follows: (i) to assess whether ApoE-4 might be a surrogate marker of cognitive decline in MS; (ii) to confirm the presence of cognitive impairment in mildly disabled patients treated with interferon-beta; and (iii) to analyse the correlation between cognitive disturbances and clinical variables. MATERIAL AND METHODS -  Fifty relapsing-remitting MS patients underwent a battery of neuropsychological tests and were genotyped for ApoE. Their scores were compared with those of 35 controls. RESULTS - No association was found between ApoE-4 and cognitive impairment. Significant differences in most domains were observed between MS and the control group. Cognitive decline was not related to disability progression. CONCLUSION - No association between cognitive impairment and ApoE-4 or clinical markers was detected in our MS patients.
authors.affiliation: Multiple Sclerosis Unit, Neurology Department, Hospital Universitari de Bellvitge, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain. occodina@gmail.com
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Carmona
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Masuet
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Santiago
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Alía
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Moral
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Alonso-Magdalena
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Casado
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Arbizu
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D053327:Apolipoprotein E4 / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D015415:Biomarkers; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics* / Q000523:psychology; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000008:administration & dosage; D016899:Interferon-beta / Q000008:administration & dosage; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020529:Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting / Q000150:complications / Q000235:genetics* / Q000523:psychology*; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D053327:Apolipoprotein E4; D015415:Biomarkers; D007155:Immunologic Factors; D016899:Interferon-beta