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Updated: Jun 20, 2026
09:41
Comprehensive Autopsy Program for Individuals with Multiple Sclerosis
Published on: July 19, 2019
Apolipoprotein genotype does not influence MS severity, cognition, or brain atrophy.
A van der Walt1, J Stankovich, M Bahlo
1Royal Melbourne Hospital, Department of Neurology, Parkville, VIC, Australia. Anneke.vanderwalt@mh.org.au
Neurology
|September 30, 2009
Summary
Investigating the apolipoprotein E (APOE) gene in multiple sclerosis (MS) found no link between APOE variations and disease severity, cognition, or brain atrophy in an Australian cohort.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimmunology
- Genetics
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Conflicting reports exist on apolipoprotein E (APOE) allelic heterogeneity influencing multiple sclerosis (MS) severity.
- Some studies suggest APOE epsilon4 is linked to worse MS outcomes, while APOE epsilon2 may indicate a milder course.
- This study investigates APOE's role in MS disease severity within a large Australian population-based cohort.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the influence of APOE allelic and haplotypic heterogeneity on multiple sclerosis disease severity.
- To assess the impact of APOE variants on clinical outcomes, cognition, and brain atrophy in MS patients.
Main Methods:
- Analyzed 1,006 patients with relapsing-remitting and secondary progressive MS.
- Assessed disease severity using Multiple Sclerosis Severity Score, Progression Index, age at onset, and attack interval.
- Evaluated cognition with the Symbol Digit Modalities Test and brain atrophy via intercaudate ratio, stratifying APOE carriers by promoter polymorphisms.
Main Results:
- Neither APOE allele status nor promoter region single nucleotide polymorphisms (-219 G/T, +113 C/G) affected clinical MS severity.
- No significant influence was observed on cognitive function or cerebral atrophy measures.
- Haplotype analysis also revealed no association with disease course.
Conclusions:
- Allelic and haplotypic heterogeneity within the APOE gene region does not appear to influence the disease course of multiple sclerosis.
- Findings suggest APOE's genetic variations are not major determinants of MS severity in this Australian cohort.
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