The Role of Genetics in TBI Recovery
Plum, F. (1999). ApoE-4 is associated with traumatic encephalopathy and Alzheimer's disease. Neurology, 17(7), 49-56.
In the occurrence of traumatic brain injury, studies have concluded that head injury and the possession of the apolipoprotein (apoE-e4) gene can contribute to Alzheimer's disease (AD). Past studies by Mayeux and colleagues, as well as Roberts et al., have discovered a relation between severe head injury and large numbers of beta-amyloid protein plaques being present following the injury. Mayeux and colleagues found these plaques to be characteristic of AD and were present in brain injured boxers who died months to years later. The latter study showed a "relationship of beta amyloid plaques in approximately 30% of 152 persons following severe head trauma" (p.49). They proposed this presence of the plaque to "reflect an acute phase response to neuronal injury" (p.49).
More recent studies reveal a possible relation between the apoE-e4 gene and the effects and outcome following traumatic brain injury. Teasdale and associates' study showed that "significantly worse outcomes of persons with the apoE-e4 allele exceeded that found in the general population . . . and the apoE-e4 allele contributes to the severity of acquired brain trauma" (p.50). Two other studies by Nicoll and associates and Friedman et al. show similar results. The discovery of the role of apoE-e4 following head injury and its contribution to AD leads to important implications directed toward various athletes and other at-risk persons in making them aware of the results of traumatic brain injury.
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