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.