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Updated: Jul 15, 2026
03:47
A Murine Model of Carotid Aneurysm Formation
Published on: September 9, 2025
Tumor necrosis factor-alpha gene and cerebral aneurysms
Marco Fontanella1, Innocenzo Rainero, Salvatore Gallone
1Department of Neuroscience, Division of Neurosurgery, University of Turin, Turin, Italy. marco.fontanella@tin.it
Neurosurgery
|April 7, 2007
Summary
The tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) G allele is linked to an increased risk of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage. This genetic factor may play a role in aneurysm development, but does not appear to affect disease severity.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Immunology
- Genetics
Background:
- Intracranial aneurysm pathogenesis remains unclear, with emerging evidence suggesting a role for immunological factors.
- Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), a key proinflammatory cytokine, is implicated in cerebral aneurysm formation and rupture.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between a specific TNF-alpha gene polymorphism (-308 G
- To evaluate if this TNF-alpha polymorphism influences the clinical features of aSAH.
Main Methods:
- A case-control study involving 171 aSAH patients and 144 healthy controls.
- Genotyping for the TNF-alpha -308 G
- Clinical assessment using Hunt and Hess grading and CT scans using Fisher grading.
Main Results:
- The TNF-alpha G allele was significantly more prevalent in aSAH patients compared to controls (P = 0.0181).
- Homozygosity for the G allele conferred a significantly increased risk of aSAH (OR = 2.20).
- No significant differences in allelic or genotypic frequencies were observed across disease subgroups, indicating no significant modification of clinical features.
Conclusions:
- The TNF-alpha gene or a closely linked locus appears to significantly influence the risk of developing aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage.
- Further research in diverse populations is necessary to validate these findings.
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