Apolipoprotein E gene polymorphism and previous alcohol withdrawal seizures

Abstract

Aim of this study was to investigate the possible association of apolipoprotein E (ApoE) gene polymorphism with a history of alcohol withdrawal seizures. We included 194 patients with alcohol dependence who were divided into patients with (SZ+) and without (SZ−) previous alcohol withdrawal seizures. ApoE genotypes were determined using PCR. For statistical analysis we examined the number of ApoE alleles (ApoE2: n = 36; ApoE3: n = 311; ApoE4: n = 41). A significant positive association with a positive history of withdrawal seizures (SZ+) was found in the ApoE3 allele group (Fisher’s exact test: p = 0.006) while a significant negative association was observed in the ApoE2 allele group (Fisher’s exact test: p = 0.029). For the ApoE4 allele group no significant differences were found regarding a history of withdrawal seizures. Our findings suggest an association between the apolipoprotein E3 gene variant and an elevated risk of alcohol withdrawal seizures. These preliminary results must be validated in further studies.