The maximal finite abelian subgroups, up to conjugation, of the simple algebraic group of type E8 over an algebraically closed field of characteristic 0 are computed. This is equivalent to the determination of the fine gradings on the simple Lie algebra of type E8 with trivial neutral homogeneous component. The Brauer invariant of the irreducible modules for graded semisimple Lie algebras plays a key role.