APOE-ε4 Genotype is Associated with Elevated Post-Concussion Symptoms in Military Veterans with a Remote History of Mild Traumatic Brain Injury. (6th December 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Merritt, Victoria C; Lapira, Kristina M; Clark, Alexandra L; Sorg, Scott F; Werhane, Madeleine L; Jak, Amy J; Bondi, Mark W; Schiehser, Dawn M; Delano-Wood, Lisa
• Is Part Of: Archives of clinical neuropsychology. Volume 34:Number 5(2019)
• Page Start: 706
• Page End: 712
• Publication Date: 2018-12-06
• Subjects: APOE gene -- Genetics -- Post-concussion symptoms -- Neurobehavioral Symptom Inventory -- Military Veterans -- mTBI -- Head injury; Clinical neuropsychology -- Periodicals; 616.805
• DOI: 10.1093/arclin/acy082
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0887-6177

Abstract

Abstract: Objective: We evaluated the influence of the APOE-ε4 allele on post-concussive symptoms in military Veterans with a remote history of mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). Method: Participants ( N = 77) were administered neuropsychiatric measures, on average, approximately 5 years following their most recent mTBI and provided a DNA sample for APOE genotyping. Veterans were divided into two groups based on their ε4 status ( n = 14 ε4+, n = 63 ε4–). The Neurobehavioral Symptom Inventory (NSI) was the primary outcome measure, from which a total score was derived, as well as three symptom clusters (somatic, cognitive, and affective). Results: ANCOVAs showed a significant main effect of ε4 genotype on the NSI total score and somatic symptom cluster after adjusting for posttraumatic stress symptoms and mTBI history ( p = .019–.028, ηp 2 = .064–.073), such that ε4+ Veterans endorsed significantly greater symptoms than ε4– Veterans. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that genetic risk may help to explain the poorer long-term outcomes often observed in this population.