APOE epsilon 4 genotype is associated with an earlier onset of chronic temporal lobe epilepsy

The authors analyzed the association betwen APOE epsilon 4 genotype and cli nical and MRI findings in 43 refractory temporal lobe epilepsy patients. Th e distribution of the alleles were normal. Ten patients (23%) had an APOE e psilon 4 allele and had an earlier onset of habitual seizures (with epsilon 4 5 +/- 5 years; without epsilon 4 15 +/- 10 years). Quantitative MRI find ings were not influenced by the APOE epsilon 4 genotype. APOE epsilon 4 may shorten the latency between an initial injury and seizure onset.