Association of apolipoprotein E epsilon2 with white matter disease but not with microbleeds

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Genetics
• Vascular Disease

Background:

• Apolipoprotein E (apoE) alleles, specifically epsilon2 and epsilon4, are known risk factors for cerebral amyloid angiopathy.
• The association between apoE alleles and cerebrovascular conditions like white matter disease and microbleeds in patients without diagnosed cerebral amyloid angiopathy remains unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between apolipoprotein E (apoE) alleles and the presence of white matter disease and microbleeds.
• To examine apoE's role in patients experiencing transient ischemic attack (TIA) or ischemic stroke.

Main Methods:

• Brain MRI scans and apoE genotyping were performed on 334 patients with TIA or ischemic stroke.
• White matter disease was assessed using fluid attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) MRI, and microbleeds were quantified using gradient echo MRI.

Main Results:

• Apolipoprotein E (apoE) epsilon2 alleles were significantly more common in patients with moderate to severe white matter disease (25.2% vs. 11.3%, P=0.001).
• No significant association was found between apoE epsilon4 and white matter disease or microbleeds.
• The presence of microbleeds was not associated with either apoE epsilon2 or apoE epsilon4 alleles.

Conclusions:

• Apolipoprotein E (apoE) alleles do not appear to significantly influence the development of microbleeds.
• The apoE epsilon2 allele may be associated with the development of moderate to severe white matter disease in patients with transient ischemic attack and stroke.