Adenosine A1 receptor gene variants associated with post-traumatic seizures after severe TBI

Post-traumatic seizures (PTS) are a significant complication from traumatic brain injury (TBI). Adenosine, a major neuroprotective and neuroinhibitory molecule, is important in experimental epilepsy models. Thus, we investigated the adenosine A1 receptor (A1AR) gene and linked it with clinical data extracted for 206 subjects with severe TBI. Tagging SNPs rs3766553, rs903361, rs10920573, rs6701725, and rs17511192 were genotyped, and variant and haplotype associations with PTS were explored. We investigated further genotype, grouped genotype, and allelic associations with PTS for rs3766553 and rs10920573. Multivariate analysis of rs3766553 demonstrated an association between the AA genotype and increased early PTS incidence. In contrast, the GG genotype was associated with increased late and delayed-onset PTS rates. Multivariate analysis of rs10920573 revealed an association between the CT genotype and increased late PTS. Multiple risk genotype analysis showed subjects with both risk genotypes had a 46.7% chance of late PTS. To our knowledge, this is the first report implicating genetic variability in the A1AR with PTS, or any type of seizure disorder. These results provide a rationale for further studies investigating how adenosine neurotransmission impacts PTS, evaluating anticonvulsants in preventing and treating PTS, and developing and testing targeted adenosinergic therapies aimed at reducing PTS.