title: Body pigmentation as a risk factor for the formation of intracranial aneurysms.
abstract: Recent studies demonstrated pigmented cells both in the murine heart, in pulmonary veins, and in brain arteries. Moreover, a role for melanocytes in the downregulation of inflammatory processes was suggested. As there is increasing evidence that inflammation is contributing significantly to the pathogenesis of intracranial aneurysms, melanocyte-like cells may be relevant in preventing age-related impairment of vessels. As pigmentation of the heart reflects that of coat color, aspects of body pigmentation might be associated with the incidence of intracranial aneurysms. We performed a case-control study to evaluate associations between the pigmentation of hair and eyes and the formation of aneurysms. In addition to hair and eye color, constitutive and facultative skin pigmentation were assessed in a replication study as well as individual handedness which can be seen as a neurophysiological correlate of developmental pigmentation processes. Hair pigmentation was highly associated with intracranial aneurysms in both samples, whereas eye pigmentation was not. In the replication cohort, facultative but not constitutive skin pigmentation proved significant. The strongest association was observed for individual handedness. Results indicate a significant association of intracranial aneurysms with particular aspects of body pigmentation as well as handedness, and imply clinical usefulness for screening of aneurysms and possible interventions.
authors: Department of Psychology, Biological Psychology Unit, Karl-Franzens-University, Universitätsplatz 2/III, 8010 Graz, Austria.
authors: Günter
authors: 0000-0002-4581-8143
authors: G
authors: Schulter
authors: Department of Neurosurgery, Medical University, Auenbruggerplatz 2, 8036 Graz, Austria.
authors: Klaus
authors: K
authors: Leber
authors: Department of Psychology, Biological Psychology Unit, Karl-Franzens-University, Universitätsplatz 2/III, 8010 Graz, Austria.
authors: Elke
authors: E
authors: Kronawetter
authors: Department of Psychology, Biological Psychology Unit, Karl-Franzens-University, Universitätsplatz 2/III, 8010 Graz, Austria.
authors: Viktoria R
authors: VR
authors: Rübenbauer
authors: Department of Surgery, Division of Vascular Surgery, Medical University, Auenbruggerplatz 2, 8036 Graz, Austria.
authors: Peter
authors: P
authors: Konstantiniuk
authors: Department of Psychology, Biological Psychology Unit, Karl-Franzens-University, Universitätsplatz 2/III, 8010 Graz, Austria.
authors: Ilona
authors: 0000-0002-6620-0318
authors: I
authors: Papousek
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005127:Eye Color; D005260:Female; D006200:Hair Color; D006801:Humans; D002532:Intracranial Aneurysm / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D012880:Skin Pigmentation