Brain Injury Recovery Linked to Alzheimer's Gene

Newly reported results from a study of patients with traumatic brain injuries have shown that recovery is linked to a gene related to Alzheimer's disease. People with the E4 type of the apolipoprotein E (apo E) gene recover more slowly from this type of injury. The apo E gene on chromosome 19 has been implicated in the development of Alzheimer's disease.

The new study, conducted by researchers at the University of South Florida (Tampa, USA), looked at 110 head-injured patients who were rated for level of traumatic brain injury, assessed for memory function, and genotyped at the apo E gene. The study was published in the April 9, 2002, issue of the journal Neurology.

Although participants with the E4 form of the apo E gene matched those without the E4 form in terms of age, gender and severity of injury, there were clear differences in memory function between the 30 patients who had the E4 allele and the 80 patients who did not. The E4 group showed worse recovery of general memory function after injury.

"Although apo E has been implicated in traumatic brain injury recovery before, this is the first time that is has been associated with a specific deficit,” said lead author Dr. Fiona Crawford. "The findings have implications for understanding repair and recovery after traumatic brain injury as well as understanding the neurodegenerative mechanisms, and suggest common cellular responses in head injury and Alzheimer's disease.”



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