summary: MS is a complex disease where genes and environment seem to play a role in its pathogenesis. Apolipoprotein E (APOE) is involved in the pathogenesis of MS, in addition to other neurological diseases. To date, studies about APOE and MS have had contradictory results. Therefore, the authors investigated the association between the different genetic variants of the APOE gene and MS related parameters, such as rate of progression of physical disability, cognitive function and brain volume loss, in more than 1000 people with MS. Their results showed that APOE genes do not influence any of these MS parameters. This study highlights the importance of large, population-based studies, in confirming or refuting previously reported genetic associations with MS severity.

authors: van der Walt A, Stankovich J, Bahlo M, Taylor BV, van der Mei IA, Foote SJ, Kilpatrick TJ, Rubio JP, Butzkueven H

source: Neurology. 2009 Sep 29;73(13):1018-25

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