Abstract:
The predictive power of apolipoprotein E (APOE) genotype (E2 and E4 status) on traumatic brain injury (TBI) outcome was examined in the largest study of this association to-date. One hundred forty-six individuals with moderate to severe TBI underwent APOE genotyping. Functional outcome was assessed with the Disability Rating Scale, the Functional Independence Measure, and the Living and Vocational Independence Scale. Injury severity predicted outcome at discharge and follow-up. Neither E2 nor E4 status predicted additional variance in outcome at either recoverytime-point. Contrary to previously reported findings, results do not suggest a directassociation between APOE genotype and acute or long-term functional outcomes following TBI. It remains possible that dose dependency effects and other intermediary conditions influence the association between APOE and TBI outcome.