APOE and risk of cognitive impairment in multiple sclerosis

Objectives - The APOE gene polymorphism and the -491 A/T polymorphism in it s regulatory region have been associated with an increased risk for develop ing Alzheimer's disease. We examined these polymorphisms in multiple sclero sis (MS) patients, to determine if a genetic predisposition may explain the risk for developing cognitive decline in MS. Material and methods - Eighty -nine relapsing-remitting and secondary progressive MS patients underwent t o a full neuropsychological battery as well as to determination of APOE and -491 A/T polymorphisms. Genetic analysis was also performed in 107 populat ion controls. Results - The APOE polymorphism was not associated with the r isk of cognitive impairment in MS patients. The AA genotype of the -491 A/T polymorphism in the APOE regulatory region was more frequent in cognitivel y impaired than in cognitively preserved MS subjects. Conclusion - The AA h omozygous state of the -491 A/T polymorphism of the APOE regulatory region is associated with cognitive impairment in patients with MS.