Different quantitative EEG alterations induced by TBI among patients with different APOE genotypes

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Genetics
• Neurology

Background:

• Electroencephalogram (EEG) alterations are documented in Alzheimer's disease (AD) and traumatic brain injury (TBI).
• The impact of apolipoprotein E (APOE) genotype on early-stage TBI EEG changes remains under-investigated.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between APOE gene polymorphisms and quantitative EEG (QEEG) changes in the early stages following TBI.
• To determine if APOE genotype influences brain electrical activity in normal individuals and TBI patients.

Main Methods:

• Recruited 118 TBI patients (Glasgow Coma Scale [GCS] ≥ 9) and 40 healthy controls.
• Determined APOE genotype using PCR-RFLP.
• Recorded QEEG in resting, awake, eyes-closed state within 1-3 days post-TBI.

Main Results:

• No significant QEEG differences were observed between APOE ɛ4 carriers and non-carriers in the normal control group.
• TBI patients carrying the APOE ɛ4 allele exhibited more focal or global irregular slow wave activities compared to non-carriers.
• The APOE gene did not affect brain electrical activity under normal conditions but influenced TBI-induced alterations.

Conclusions:

• APOE genotype does not impact baseline brain electrical activity.
• TBI induces distinct EEG alterations based on APOE genotype.
• The APOE ɛ4 allele exacerbates EEG abnormalities in the early phase of TBI.