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ASSOCIATION BETWEEN APOLIPOPROTEIN E POLYMORPHISMS AND EPILEPSY IN CHILDREN

Monika Kukuruzović1, Vanja Bašić Kes1, Maša Malenica1

  • 11Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital Center Sestre milosrdnice, Zagreb, Croatia;2Department of Neurology, University Hospital Center Sestre milosrdnice, Zagreb, Croatia.

Acta Clinica Croatica
|June 23, 2022
PubMed

Insights

This study found no link between Apolipoprotein E (APOE) gene variants and epilepsy types in children. Children with epilepsy showed lower total and LDL cholesterol levels compared to controls.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Genetics
  • Pediatrics

Background:

  • Apolipoprotein E (APOE) is crucial for lipid metabolism and linked to neurodegenerative diseases.
  • Understanding APOE's role in pediatric epilepsy is essential for disease management.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between APOE alleles, blood lipid profiles, and epilepsy types in children.
  • To determine if APOE genotype influences epilepsy classification or lipid levels in pediatric patients.

Main Methods:

  • Genotyping of APOE alleles and analysis of blood lipid profiles (total cholesterol, HDL, LDL, triglycerides).
  • Comparison of APOE distribution and lipid levels between 111 children with epilepsy and 118 controls.
  • Analysis of lipid profiles across different epilepsy types (idiopathic vs. symptomatic).

Main Results:

  • No significant difference in APOE genotype distribution between children with and without epilepsy.
  • Children with epilepsy exhibited lower total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol levels than controls.
  • Symptomatic epilepsy was associated with higher total and LDL cholesterol levels compared to idiopathic epilepsy.

Conclusions:

  • APOE genotype is not associated with epilepsy type in children.
  • Children with epilepsy, particularly idiopathic epilepsy, tend to have lower cholesterol levels.
  • Further research is needed to elucidate the relationship between lipid metabolism and pediatric epilepsy.

Keywords:
Apolipoprotein EBrain plasticityChildren with epilepsyGene polymorphismLipoprotein

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