Apolipoprotein E Genotype and Head Impact Response in High School Athletes

Abstract

The primary purpose of this study was to determine the association between Apolipoprotein E (APOE) genotype and head impact response in high school athletes. The secondary purpose was to determine if quality of life (QoL) and cognitive functioning scores significantly differ between Apolipoprotein (APOE) rare allele carriers versus non-carriers within a poor head impact response (PHIR) group of high school athletes. Thirty (28 males, 2 females) high school athletes playing high head impact sports participated in the study. A between-subjects design was used. Primary aim one independent variable was genotype (i.e., APOE E4 carriers vs. non-carriers and APOE G-219T carriers vs. non-carriers) and dependent variable was group [i.e., normal head impact response (NHIR) vs. PHIR]. Statistical analysis consisted of Fisher's exact tests. Alpha level was set at p p p = .002) in the overall QoL scores between APOE G-219T promoter rare allele carriers versus non-carriers within the PHIR group. No other statistically significant differences were found; however, there was a trend (p = .007) found in the psychosocial subscores in the APOE G-219T promoter rare allele carriers versus non-carriers within the PHIR group. Carrying an APOE rare G-219T rare allele was associated with significantly lower QoL scores within the PHIR group, these results indicate that athletes with intrinsic (e.g., genotype) risk factors may need more education and different treatment following head impacts.