Multiple sclerosis and cognitive decline: is ApoE-4 a surrogate marker?

Background - The role of the apolipoprotein E (ApoE) polymorphism has been well demonstrated in neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer. However, its role in multiple sclerosis (MS) remains unclear. Aims - The aims of our study were as follows: (i) to assess whether ApoE-4 might be a surrogate marker of cognitive decline in MS; (ii) to confirm the presence of cognitive impairment in mildly disabled patients treated with interferon-beta; and (iii) to analyse the correlation between cognitive disturbances and clinical variables. Material and methods - Fifty relapsing-remitting MS patients underwent a battery of neuropsychological tests and were genotyped for ApoE. Their scores were compared with those of 35 controls. Results - No association was found between ApoE-4 and cognitive impairment. Significant differences in most domains were observed between MS and the control group. Cognitive decline was not related to disability progression. Conclusion - No association between cognitive impairment and ApoE-4 or clinical markers was detected in our MS patients.