The apolipoprotein ε4 gene is associated with elevated risk of normal tension glaucoma

Abstract

Purpose: Inheritance of a particular apolipoprotein E gene polymorphism, the ε4 allele, has been associated with elevated risk for Alzheimer's disease and a poor outcome following head injury. The neuronal injury associated with Alzheimer's disease and brain injury may have a number of similarities with the nerve cell changes associated with glaucoma. Thus, we have investigated the association of inheritance of apolipoprotein E allelic isoforms (e2, e3, and e4) with relative risk for different forms of glaucoma. Methods: Apolipoprotein E genotype was examined in a Tasmanian population sample comprised of glaucoma sufferers with elevated or normal intraocular pressure and compared to a contro..