Biomaterial Database

Genetics and the central nervous system: apolipoprotein E and brain injury. 1998

M E Kerr, and M Kraus

School of Nursing, University of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15261, USA.

Apolipoprotein E (apoE), a protein produced by glial cells, is responsible for maintenance of the structural integrity of the microtubules within the axon of the neuron. The gene associated with apolipoprotein E, APOE, influences the construction and regeneration of the microtubules in an APOE allele-specific manner: APOE 2/2 may be neuroprotective, whereas APOE 4/4 may be neurodestructive. Thus, APOE appears to be one genetic factor that modifies the brain's response to insult, and therefore may modify the severity of neuropsychologic deficits. This article presents an overview of the genetic relation between APOE and neuropsychological function in Alzheimer disease and proposes a relation between APOE and recovery after head injury.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D001923	Brain Chemistry	Changes in the amounts of various chemicals (neurotransmitters, receptors, enzymes, and other metabolites) specific to the area of the central nervous system contained within the head. These are monitored over time, during sensory stimulation, or under different disease states.	Chemistry, Brain,Brain Chemistries,Chemistries, Brain
D001930	Brain Injuries	Acute and chronic (see also BRAIN INJURIES, CHRONIC) injuries to the brain, including the cerebral hemispheres, CEREBELLUM, and BRAIN STEM. Clinical manifestations depend on the nature of injury. Diffuse trauma to the brain is frequently associated with DIFFUSE AXONAL INJURY or COMA, POST-TRAUMATIC. Localized injuries may be associated with NEUROBEHAVIORAL MANIFESTATIONS; HEMIPARESIS, or other focal neurologic deficits.	Brain Lacerations,Acute Brain Injuries,Brain Injuries, Acute,Brain Injuries, Focal,Focal Brain Injuries,Injuries, Acute Brain,Injuries, Brain,Acute Brain Injury,Brain Injury,Brain Injury, Acute,Brain Injury, Focal,Brain Laceration,Focal Brain Injury,Injuries, Focal Brain,Injury, Acute Brain,Injury, Brain,Injury, Focal Brain,Laceration, Brain,Lacerations, Brain
D005786	Gene Expression Regulation	Any of the processes by which nuclear, cytoplasmic, or intercellular factors influence the differential control (induction or repression) of gene action at the level of transcription or translation.	Gene Action Regulation,Regulation of Gene Expression,Expression Regulation, Gene,Regulation, Gene Action,Regulation, Gene Expression
D005820	Genetic Testing	Detection of a MUTATION; GENOTYPE; KARYOTYPE; or specific ALLELES associated with genetic traits, heritable diseases, or predisposition to a disease, or that may lead to the disease in descendants. It includes prenatal genetic testing.	Genetic Predisposition Testing,Genetic Screening,Predictive Genetic Testing,Predictive Testing, Genetic,Testing, Genetic Predisposition,Genetic Predictive Testing,Genetic Screenings,Genetic Testing, Predictive,Predisposition Testing, Genetic,Screening, Genetic,Screenings, Genetic,Testing, Genetic,Testing, Genetic Predictive,Testing, Predictive Genetic
D005838	Genotype	The genetic constitution of the individual, comprising the ALLELES present at each GENETIC LOCUS.	Genogroup,Genogroups,Genotypes
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D001057	Apolipoproteins E	A class of protein components which can be found in several lipoproteins including HIGH-DENSITY LIPOPROTEINS; VERY-LOW-DENSITY LIPOPROTEINS; and CHYLOMICRONS. Synthesized in most organs, Apo E is important in the global transport of lipids and cholesterol throughout the body. Apo E is also a ligand for LDL receptors (RECEPTORS, LDL) that mediates the binding, internalization, and catabolism of lipoprotein particles in cells. There are several allelic isoforms (such as E2, E3, and E4). Deficiency or defects in Apo E are causes of HYPERLIPOPROTEINEMIA TYPE III.	Apo-E,Apo E,Apo E Isoproteins,ApoE,Apolipoprotein E Isoproteins,Apoprotein (E),Apoproteins E,Isoproteins, Apo E,Isoproteins, Apolipoprotein E
D020127	Recovery of Function	A partial or complete return to the normal or proper physiologic activity of an organ or part following disease or trauma.	Function Recoveries,Function Recovery