The association between apolipoprotein E and multiple sclerosis

The article is a complete literature study that investigates the association between apolipoprotein E (Apo E) and multiple sclerosis (MS). Apo E is an important factor in transport, uptake, and redistribution of cholesterol, which is significant to remodelling and repair of nerve tissue. Apo E is involved in neurodegenerative diseases and the most well known association is between Apo ɛ 4 and Alzheimer's disease. Only one study found that homozygosity for Apo ɛ 4 does cause an increased risk of developing MS. No results indicate that heterozygosity for Apo ɛ 4 causes a greater risk of developing MS. No association between the Apo ɛ 4 allele and MS subgroups, age of onset, and gender has been found. The association between Apo ɛ 4 and relapse rate is contradictory. Most results confirm the hypothesis about an association between the Apo ɛ 4 allele and increased disease progression. Two longitudinal studies found an association between Apo ɛ 4 and increased disease progression. Half of the cross‐sectional studies found the same association. Four of seven published studies examining the association between Apo ɛ 4 and increased disease progression using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) found a significant association. Apo ɛ 4 appears to be a predisposing factor to a faster disease progression in MS.