Elastin polymorphism haplotype and intracranial aneurysms are not associated in Central Europe

Abstract

Background and Purpose - The occurrence of intracranial aneurysms and of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage are influenced by genetic factors. Recent genomic studies in Japan have defined 3 chromosomal loci and 1 haplotype of elastin polymorphisms as important risk factors, both for affected sib pairs and sporadic patients. Methods - We have genotyped 2 single nucleotide polymorphisms in the elastin gene and evaluated their allelic association with intracranial aneurysm in a Central European sample of 30 familial and 175 sporadic patients and 235 population controls. Results - We found no allelic association between this elastin polymorphism haplotype and intracranial aneurysm. Conclusion - Our data probably reflect increased genetic heterogeneity of intracranial aneurysm in Europe compared with Japan.