The Role of Genetics in TBI Recovery
Crawford
et. al.
Graham et. al.
Hux
McCroy
Crawford, F.C., Vanderploeg, R.D., Freeman M.J., Singh S., Waisman M., Michaels L., Abdullah L., Warden D., Lipsky R., Salazar A., Mullan M.J. (2002). APoE genotype influences acquistion and recall following traumatic brain injury. Neruology, 58 (7):1115-1118.
The purpose of the study examines the influence apoE-e4 has on the recovery of memory following a traumatic brian injury. 110 particpants were examined to determine this relationship. The study found that memory performance was worse in those particpants that had the apoE allele than those who did not. However, the two groups did not differ on demographic or injury variables or on measures of executive functioning. The data from the study sugggests that the apoE protein plays an important role in the repair of neurons for memory recovery.
Graham D.I., Horsburgh K., Nicoll J.A., Teasdale G.M. (1999). Apolipoprotein E and the reponse of the brain to injury. Acta Neurochir Supplemented 73: 89-92.
The study describes the improtance of apoE and its role in the nervous system. ApoE-e4 is involved in transporting lipids to the nervous system. This in return provides injured nerve cells, the cholestrol and phospholipids for the maintenance and repair of membranes. Due to the increasing knowledge of apoE-e4, the growth of neurites, dendritic remodeling and synaptogenesis, and the effect of injury to the nervous system is now partially known. Previous studies have shown a link between apoE and an increased risk for Alzheimer's disease. Many recent studies have provided evidence that apoE-e4 is also linked to the intial reponse and subsequent consequences to brain injury. More research needs to be conducted to determine the relationship between brain injury adn the development of neurodegenerative disorders.
Hux, K. (2003). Epidemiology of traumatic brain injury: who, what, when, where, and how, mild traumatic brain inury. In K. Hux (Ed.), Assisting Survivors of Traumatic Brain Injury: the role of speech-language pathologists. Austin, Texas: Pro-Ed.
The text explains the effect of apoE-e4 on the recovery of traumatic brain injury. Chromsome 19 is where the gene for apoE is located. ApoE has many different forms. The specific form e4 is commonly linked to the occurance of deposits of amyloid B-protein in the cerebral cortex. Amyloid B-protien in the cerebral cortex is a common feature in Alzheimer's disease and a predictor of poor outcomes following neurological injuries. Those people with the e4 allele are 3 times more likely to die after sustaining a trauamic brain injury than those that do not have the allele. even more significantly is that those people who have the apoE-e4 allele and a history of TBI are 10 times more likely to develop Alzheimer's disease.
McCroy P. (2002). Boxing and the brain. British Journal of Sports Medicine. 36:2.
Boxing has one of the highest incidents for traumatic brain injury. It is also one of the biggest health problems in boxing today. Recent research in boxers suggests that apoE-e4 is associated with a gentic predisposition for an increased risk in brain injury. The sport needs to reexamine the epidemiological data that TBI is a manifestation of the length of a boxer's career and the number of exposure to punches. In addition the genetics that a boxer may have for TBI needs to be reevaluated. The recent research also brings up ethical issues if a boxer is found to have the gene that produces apoE-e4.
