Multiple sclerosis is a disease with considerable individual variation, and genetic background plays a key role in disease susceptibility and severity. The objective of the study was to evaluate the relationship between apolipoprotein E (APOE) genotype and the evolution of different clinical and MRI parameters. We investigated a group of 150 relapsingremitting patients that completed 4-year follow-up. The mean age was 30.2 years, disease duration 56.8 months, and baseline Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) 1.8. The changes in brain parenchymal volume (BPV), gray matter (GMV), white matter (WMV) and peripheral gray volume (PGMV) were measured by SIENA/X. T2-lesion volume was assessed by semi-automated methods. The mixed-effect model analysis was used to investigate evolution of clinical and MRI parameters in relation to the APOE ?4 genotype considering two different time models: 4-year follow-up and 15-year period from disease onset. We identified 36 APOE ?4-positive patients. Decline of GMV (P = 0.017), and BPV (P = 0.029) were significantly faster in APOE ?4-positive than in APOE ?4-negative patients in the 15-year model. In the 4- year model, a trend for faster decrease of GMV was found in APOE ?4-positive patients (P = 0.067). No differences in other MRI parameters or EDSS were found between the APOE groups. The results of the study suggest that APOE ?4-positive patients experience faster rate of gray matter atrophy.

Charles University Prague 1st Faculty of Medicine Department of Neurology and Center of Clinical Neuroscience Prague

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