What Researchers Did
Researchers tested apolipoprotein E (APOE) genotypes in 86 carbon monoxide-poisoned patients from a randomised trial to assess the epsilon4 allele's effect on 6-week cognitive sequelae and its interaction with hyperbaric or normobaric oxygen treatment.
What They Found
Among 86 patients, 31 (36%) had at least one epsilon4 allele. Six-week cognitive sequelae rates for HBO2-treated patients were 11% (3/27) without the epsilon4 allele and 35% (6/17) with it, compared to NBO2-treated patients at 43% (12/28) without and 29% (4/14) with the allele. The interaction between the epsilon4 allele and treatment was significantly associated with 6-week cognitive sequelae (P = 0.048).
Canadian Relevance
There is no direct Canadian connection mentioned in this study.
Study Limitations
The study was limited by a relatively small sample size of genotyped patients and the abstract does not provide a complete conclusion or full details on all potential confounding factors.