Citation

Tierney RT, Mansell JL, Higgins M, McDevitt JK, Toone N, Gaughan JP, Mishra A, Krynetskiy E. Clin. J. Sport. Med. 2010; 20(6): 464-468.

Affiliation

Department of Kinesiology; Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Department of Health, Physical Education & Recreation, Lincoln University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Department of Kinesiology, Towson University, Towson, Maryland; Biostatistics Consulting Center, Temple University School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; and Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Temple University School of Pharmacy, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2010, Canadian Academy of Sport Medicine, Publisher Lippincott Williams and Wilkins)

DOI

10.1097/JSM.0b013e3181fc0a81

PMID

21079443

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:: To evaluate the association between apolipoprotein E (APOE) polymorphisms (E2, C/T Arg158Cys; E4, T/C Cys112Arg; and promoter, g-219t) and the history of concussion in college athletes. We hypothesized that carrying 1 or more APOE rare (or minor) allele assessed in this study would be associated with having a history of 1 or more concussions. DESIGN:: Multicenter cross-sectional study. SETTING:: University athletic facilities. PARTICIPANTS:: One hundred ninety-six male football (n = 163) and female soccer (n = 33) college athletes volunteered. INTERVENTIONS:: Written concussion history questionnaire and saliva samples for genotyping. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:: Self-reported history of a documented concussion and rare APOE genotype (E2, E4, promoter). RESULTS:: There was a significant association (Wald χ = 3.82; P = 0.05; odds ratio = 9.8) between carrying all APOE rare alleles and the history of a previous concussion. There was also a significant association (Wald χ = 3.96, P = 0.04, odds ratio = 8.4) between carrying the APOE promoter minor allele and experiencing 2 or more concussions. CONCLUSIONS:: Carriers of all 3 APOE rare (or minor) alleles assessed in this study were nearly 10 times more likely to report a previous concussion and may be at a greater risk of concussion versus noncarriers. Promoter minor allele carriers were 8.4 times more likely to report multiple concussions and may be at a greater risk of multiple concussions versus noncarriers. Research involving larger samples of individuals with multiple concussions and carriers of multiple APOE rare alleles is warranted.

Language: en