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Huang D, Lai S, Zhong S, Zhang Y, He J, Yan S, Huang X, Lu X, Duan M, Song K, Ye K, Chen Y, Ye S, Lai J, Zhong Q, Song X, Jia Y. Sex-differential cognitive performance on MCCB of youth with BD-II depression. BMC Psychiatry 2024; 24:345. [PMID: 38714952 PMCID: PMC11077867 DOI: 10.1186/s12888-024-05701-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2023] [Accepted: 03/20/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recent evidences have shown sex-differential cognitive deficits in bipolar disorder (BD) and differences in cognitions across BD subtypes. However, the sex-specific effect on cognitive impairment in BD subtype II (BD-II) remains obscure. The aim of the current study was to examine whether cognitive deficits differ by gender in youth with BD-II depression. METHOD This cross-sectional study recruited 125 unmedicated youths with BD-II depression and 140 age-, sex-, and education-matched healthy controls (HCs). The Chinese version of the Measurement and Treatment Research to Improve Cognition in Schizophrenia (MATRICS) Consensus Cognitive Battery (MCCB) was used to assess cognitive functions. Mood state was assessed using the 24-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (24-HDRS) and the Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS). Multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA) was conducted. RESULT Compared with HCs, patients with BD-II depression had lower scores on MCCB composite and its seven cognitive domains (all p < 0.001). After controlling for age and education, MANCOVA revealed significant gender-by-group interaction on attention/vigilance (F = 6.224, df = 1, p = 0.013), verbal learning (F = 9.847, df = 1, p = 0.002), visual learning (F = 4.242, df = 1, p = 0.040), and composite (F = 8.819, df = 1, p = 0.003). Post hoc analyses suggested that males performed worse in the above-mentioned MCCB tests than females in BD-II depression. CONCLUSION Our study demonstrated generalized cognitive deficits in unmedicated youths with BD-II depression. Male patients performed more serious cognitive impairment on attention/vigilance, verbal learning, and visual learning compared to female patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dong Huang
- Department of Psychiatry, First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510630, China
| | - Shunkai Lai
- Department of Psychiatry, First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510630, China
| | - Shuming Zhong
- Department of Psychiatry, First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510630, China
| | - Yiliang Zhang
- Department of Psychiatry, First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510630, China
| | - Jiali He
- Department of Psychiatry, First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510630, China
| | - Shuya Yan
- Department of Psychiatry, First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510630, China
| | - Xiaosi Huang
- Department of Psychiatry, First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510630, China
| | - Xiaodan Lu
- Department of Psychiatry, First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510630, China
| | - Manying Duan
- School of Management, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510316, China
| | - Kailin Song
- School of Management, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510316, China
| | - Kaiwei Ye
- School of Management, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510316, China
| | - Yandi Chen
- School of Management, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510316, China
| | - Suiyi Ye
- School of Management, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510316, China
| | - Jiankang Lai
- School of Management, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510316, China
| | - Qilin Zhong
- Department of Psychiatry, First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510630, China
| | - Xiaodong Song
- Department of Psychiatry, First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510630, China
| | - Yanbin Jia
- Department of Psychiatry, First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510630, China.
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Tomás AM, Bento-Torres NVO, Jardim NYV, Moraes PM, da Costa VO, Modesto AC, Khayat AS, Bento-Torres J, Picanço-Diniz CW. Risk Polymorphisms of FNDC5, BDNF, and NTRK2 and Poor Education Interact and Aggravate Age-Related Cognitive Decline. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:17210. [PMID: 38139046 PMCID: PMC10743741 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242417210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2023] [Revised: 11/07/2023] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Cognitive abilities tend to decline with aging, with variation between individuals, and many studies seek to identify genetic biomarkers that more accurately anticipate risks related to pathological aging. We investigated the influence of BDNF, NTRK2, and FNDC5 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) on the cognitive performance of young and older adults with contrasting educational backgrounds. We addressed three questions: (1) Is education associated with reduced age-related cognitive decline? (2) Does the presence of SNPs explain the variation in cognitive performance observed late in life? (3) Is education differentially associated with cognition based on the presence of BDNF, NTRK2, or FNDC5 polymorphisms? We measured the cognitive functions of young and older participants, with lower and higher education, using specific and sensitive tests of the Cambridge Automated Neuropsychological Test Assessment Battery. A three-way ANOVA revealed that SNPs were associated with differential performances in executive functions, episodic memory, sustained attention, mental and motor response speed, and visual recognition memory and that higher educational levels improved the affected cognitive functions. The results revealed that distinct SNPs affect cognition late in life differentially, suggesting their utility as potential biomarkers and emphasizing the importance of cognitive stimulation that advanced education early in life provides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandra Mendonça Tomás
- Neurodegeneration and Infection Research Laboratory, Institute of Biological Science, João de Barros Barreto University Hospital, Federal University of Pará, Belém 66073-000, Brazil; (A.M.T.); (N.Y.V.J.); (P.M.M.); (V.O.d.C.); (J.B.-T.); (C.W.P.-D.)
- Department of Physical Education, Federal University of Pará Application School, Belém 66095-780, Brazil
| | - Natáli Valim Oliver Bento-Torres
- Neurodegeneration and Infection Research Laboratory, Institute of Biological Science, João de Barros Barreto University Hospital, Federal University of Pará, Belém 66073-000, Brazil; (A.M.T.); (N.Y.V.J.); (P.M.M.); (V.O.d.C.); (J.B.-T.); (C.W.P.-D.)
- Graduate Program in Human Movement Sciences, Federal University of Pará, Belém 66095-780, Brazil
| | - Naina Yuki Vieira Jardim
- Neurodegeneration and Infection Research Laboratory, Institute of Biological Science, João de Barros Barreto University Hospital, Federal University of Pará, Belém 66073-000, Brazil; (A.M.T.); (N.Y.V.J.); (P.M.M.); (V.O.d.C.); (J.B.-T.); (C.W.P.-D.)
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience and Cell Biology, Federal University of Pará, Belém 66050-160, Brazil
| | - Patrícia Martins Moraes
- Neurodegeneration and Infection Research Laboratory, Institute of Biological Science, João de Barros Barreto University Hospital, Federal University of Pará, Belém 66073-000, Brazil; (A.M.T.); (N.Y.V.J.); (P.M.M.); (V.O.d.C.); (J.B.-T.); (C.W.P.-D.)
- Graduate Program in Human Movement Sciences, Federal University of Pará, Belém 66095-780, Brazil
| | - Victor Oliveira da Costa
- Neurodegeneration and Infection Research Laboratory, Institute of Biological Science, João de Barros Barreto University Hospital, Federal University of Pará, Belém 66073-000, Brazil; (A.M.T.); (N.Y.V.J.); (P.M.M.); (V.O.d.C.); (J.B.-T.); (C.W.P.-D.)
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience and Cell Biology, Federal University of Pará, Belém 66050-160, Brazil
| | - Antônio Conde Modesto
- Oncology Research Center (NPO), Graduate Program in Oncology and Medical Sciences, Federal University of Pará, Belém 66073-000, Brazil; (A.C.M.); (A.S.K.)
| | - André Salim Khayat
- Oncology Research Center (NPO), Graduate Program in Oncology and Medical Sciences, Federal University of Pará, Belém 66073-000, Brazil; (A.C.M.); (A.S.K.)
| | - João Bento-Torres
- Neurodegeneration and Infection Research Laboratory, Institute of Biological Science, João de Barros Barreto University Hospital, Federal University of Pará, Belém 66073-000, Brazil; (A.M.T.); (N.Y.V.J.); (P.M.M.); (V.O.d.C.); (J.B.-T.); (C.W.P.-D.)
- Graduate Program in Human Movement Sciences, Federal University of Pará, Belém 66095-780, Brazil
| | - Cristovam Wanderley Picanço-Diniz
- Neurodegeneration and Infection Research Laboratory, Institute of Biological Science, João de Barros Barreto University Hospital, Federal University of Pará, Belém 66073-000, Brazil; (A.M.T.); (N.Y.V.J.); (P.M.M.); (V.O.d.C.); (J.B.-T.); (C.W.P.-D.)
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience and Cell Biology, Federal University of Pará, Belém 66050-160, Brazil
- Oncology Research Center (NPO), Graduate Program in Oncology and Medical Sciences, Federal University of Pará, Belém 66073-000, Brazil; (A.C.M.); (A.S.K.)
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Barha CK, Starkey SY, Hsiung GYR, Tam R, Liu-Ambrose T. Aerobic exercise improves executive functions in females, but not males, without the BDNF Val66Met polymorphism. Biol Sex Differ 2023; 14:16. [PMID: 37013586 PMCID: PMC10069071 DOI: 10.1186/s13293-023-00499-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2022] [Accepted: 03/10/2023] [Indexed: 04/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Aerobic exercise promotes cognitive function in older adults; however, variability exists in the degree of benefit. The brain-derived neurotropic factor (BDNF) Val66Met polymorphism and biological sex are biological factors that have been proposed as important modifiers of exercise efficacy. Therefore, we assessed whether the effect of aerobic exercise on executive functions was dependent on the BDNFval66met genotype and biological sex. METHODS We used data from a single-blind randomized controlled trial in older adults with subcortical ischemic vascular cognitive impairment (NCT01027858). Fifty-eight older adults were randomly assigned to either the 6 months, three times per week progressive aerobic training (AT) group or the usual care plus education control (CON) group. The secondary aim of the parent study included executive functions which were assessed with the Trail Making Test (B-A) and the Digit Symbol Substitution Test at baseline and trial completion at 6 months. RESULTS Analysis of covariance, controlling for baseline global cognition and baseline executive functions performance (Trail Making Test or Digit Symbol Substitution Test), tested the three-way interaction between experimental group (AT, CON), BDNFval66met genotype (Val/Val carrier, Met carrier), and biological sex (female, male). Significant three-way interactions were found for the Trail Making Test (F(1,48) = 4.412, p < 0.04) and Digit Symbol Substitution Test (F(1,47) = 10.833, p < 0.002). Posthoc analyses showed female Val/Val carriers benefited the most from 6 months of AT compared with CON for Trail Making Test and Digit Symbol Substitution Test performance. Compared with CON, AT did not improve Trail Making Test performance in male Val/Val carriers or Digit Symbol Substitution Test performance in female Met carriers. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that future randomized controlled trials should take into consideration BDNF genotype and biological sex to better understand the beneficial effects of AT on cognitive function in vascular cognitive impairment to maximize the beneficial effects of exercise and help establish exercise as medicine for cognitive health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cindy K Barha
- Aging, Mobility, and Cognitive Neuroscience Lab, Department of Physical Therapy, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
- Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health C/O Liu-Ambrose Lab, 2215 Wesbrook Mall, Vancouver, BC, V6T 2B5, Canada
- Centre for Hip Health and Mobility, Vancouver, Canada
- Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Samantha Y Starkey
- Aging, Mobility, and Cognitive Neuroscience Lab, Department of Physical Therapy, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
- Centre for Hip Health and Mobility, Vancouver, Canada
- Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - G Y Robin Hsiung
- Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health C/O Liu-Ambrose Lab, 2215 Wesbrook Mall, Vancouver, BC, V6T 2B5, Canada
- Division of Neurology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
- Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute and University of British Columbia Hospital Clinic for Alzheimer Disease and Related Disorders, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Roger Tam
- Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health C/O Liu-Ambrose Lab, 2215 Wesbrook Mall, Vancouver, BC, V6T 2B5, Canada
- School of Biomedical Engineering, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Teresa Liu-Ambrose
- Aging, Mobility, and Cognitive Neuroscience Lab, Department of Physical Therapy, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.
- Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health C/O Liu-Ambrose Lab, 2215 Wesbrook Mall, Vancouver, BC, V6T 2B5, Canada.
- Centre for Hip Health and Mobility, Vancouver, Canada.
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Scotti-Muzzi E, Chile T, Vallada H, Otaduy MCG, Soeiro-de-Souza MG. BDNF rs6265 differentially influences neurometabolites in the anterior cingulate of healthy and bipolar disorder subjects. Brain Imaging Behav 2023; 17:282-293. [PMID: 36630045 DOI: 10.1007/s11682-023-00757-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2022] [Revised: 12/12/2022] [Accepted: 01/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is the most abundant brain neurotrophin and plays a critical role in neuronal growth, survival and plasticity, implicated in the pathophysiology of Bipolar Disorders (BD). The single-nucleotide polymorphism in the BDNF gene (BDNF rs6265) has been associated with decreased hippocampal BDNF secretion and volume in met carriers in different populations, although the val allele has been reported to be more frequent in BD patients. The anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) is a key center integrating cognitive and affective neuronal connections, where consistent alterations in brain metabolites such as Glx (Glutamate + Glutamine) and N-acetylaspartate (NAA) have been consistently reported in BD. However, little is known about the influence of BDNF rs6265 on neurochemical profile in the ACC of Healthy Controls (HC) and BD subjects. The aim of this study was to assess the influence of BDNF rs6265 on ACC neurometabolites (Glx, NAA and total creatine- Cr) in 124 euthymic BD type I patients and 76 HC, who were genotyped for BDNF rs6265 and underwent a 3-Tesla proton magnetic resonance imaging and spectroscopy scan (1 H-MRS) using a PRESS ACC single-voxel (8cm3) sequence. BDNF rs6265 polymorphism showed a significant two-way interaction (diagnosis × genotype) in relation to NAA/Cr and total Cr. While met carriers presented increased NAA/Cr in HC, BD-I subjects with the val allele revealed higher total Cr, denoting an enhanced ACC metabolism likely associated with increased glutamatergic metabolites observed in BD-I val carriers. However, these results were replicated only in men. Therefore, our results support evidences that the BDNF rs6265 polymorphism exerts a complex pleiotropic effect on ACC metabolites influenced by the diagnosis and sex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Estêvão Scotti-Muzzi
- Institute of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of São Paulo (IPq-FMUSP), São Paulo, Brazil.
| | - Thais Chile
- Genetics and Pharmacogenetics Unit (PROGENE), Institute of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of São Paulo (IPq-FMUSP), São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Homero Vallada
- Genetics and Pharmacogenetics Unit (PROGENE), Institute of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of São Paulo (IPq-FMUSP), São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Maria Concepción Garcia Otaduy
- Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance in Neuroradiology LIM44, Department and Institute of Radiology, School of Medicine, University of São Paulo (FMUSP), São Paulo, Brazil
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Servín‐Casas GA, Romo‐Araiza A, Gutierrez‐Salmean G, Martinez‐Solis E, Ibarra‐García AP, Cruz‐Martinez Y, Rodriguez‐Barrera R, García E, Incontri‐Abraham D, Ibarra A. Memory improvement in senile rats after prebiotic and probiotic supplementation is not induced by GLP-1. CNS Neurosci Ther 2022; 28:1986-1992. [PMID: 36052558 PMCID: PMC9627373 DOI: 10.1111/cns.13951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2022] [Revised: 07/29/2022] [Accepted: 08/11/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The mechanism underlying the memory improvement induced by prebiotic and probiotic supplementation remains unclear. Glucagon-like peptide type 1 (GLP-1) could play an important role since it is induced by prebiotics and enhances memory and learning. AIMS We correlated the levels of GLP-1 with spatial memory in senile animals to determine its role in memory improvement after prebiotic and probiotic supplementation. METHODS Senile rats were randomly assigned to four groups: (1) water (control); (2) Enterococcus faecium (probiotic); (3) agave inulin (prebiotic); and (4) E. faecium + agave inulin (symbiotic). Each supplement was administered by an orogastric cannula for 5 weeks. In the fifth week, spatial memory was assessed using the Morris Water Maze test (MWM). We extracted the hippocampus, intestine, and serum. GLP-1 levels were quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS A significant decrease in escape latency time in the MWM was observed in all groups treated with supplements. The symbiotic group achieved the highest reduction (15.13 s ± 6.40) (p < 0.01). We did not find a significant increase in GLP-1 levels nor a direct correlation of its levels with spatial memory improvement (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION Prebiotic and probiotic supplementation improved spatial memory in senile animals. However, this beneficial effect did not correlate with GLP-1 levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriela Andrea Servín‐Casas
- Centro de Investigación en Ciencias de la Salud (CICSA), FCSUniversidad Anáhuac México Campus NorteHuixquilucan, Edo. de MéxicoMexico
| | - Alejandra Romo‐Araiza
- Centro de Investigación en Ciencias de la Salud (CICSA), FCSUniversidad Anáhuac México Campus NorteHuixquilucan, Edo. de MéxicoMexico
| | - Gabriela Gutierrez‐Salmean
- Centro de Investigación en Ciencias de la Salud (CICSA), FCSUniversidad Anáhuac México Campus NorteHuixquilucan, Edo. de MéxicoMexico
| | - Enrique Martinez‐Solis
- Centro de Investigación en Ciencias de la Salud (CICSA), FCSUniversidad Anáhuac México Campus NorteHuixquilucan, Edo. de MéxicoMexico
| | - Andrea Paola Ibarra‐García
- Centro de Investigación en Ciencias de la Salud (CICSA), FCSUniversidad Anáhuac México Campus NorteHuixquilucan, Edo. de MéxicoMexico
| | - Yolanda Cruz‐Martinez
- Centro de Investigación en Ciencias de la Salud (CICSA), FCSUniversidad Anáhuac México Campus NorteHuixquilucan, Edo. de MéxicoMexico
| | - Roxana Rodriguez‐Barrera
- Centro de Investigación en Ciencias de la Salud (CICSA), FCSUniversidad Anáhuac México Campus NorteHuixquilucan, Edo. de MéxicoMexico
| | - Elisa García
- Centro de Investigación en Ciencias de la Salud (CICSA), FCSUniversidad Anáhuac México Campus NorteHuixquilucan, Edo. de MéxicoMexico
| | - Diego Incontri‐Abraham
- Centro de Investigación en Ciencias de la Salud (CICSA), FCSUniversidad Anáhuac México Campus NorteHuixquilucan, Edo. de MéxicoMexico
| | - Antonio Ibarra
- Centro de Investigación en Ciencias de la Salud (CICSA), FCSUniversidad Anáhuac México Campus NorteHuixquilucan, Edo. de MéxicoMexico
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Interactive effects of the BDNF Val66Met polymorphism and posttraumatic stress disorder on cognition in U.S. military veterans. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2022; 142:105820. [PMID: 35679772 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2022.105820] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2022] [Revised: 05/16/2022] [Accepted: 05/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is associated with mild-to-moderate deficits in cognition. The Met allele of the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) Val66Met gene may also be associated with deficits in cognition. However, findings are inconsistent and may be sensitive to moderating variables such as psychopathology. While emerging research suggests that PTSD and the Met allele may interact, few studies have replicated this effect or examined the interactive effect of PTSD and the Met allele on subjective cognition. To address this gap, the current study analyzed data from European-American (EA) U.S. military veterans (n = 1244) who participated in the National Health and Resilience in Veterans Study (NHRVS) to examine the main and interactive effects of BDNF Val66Met genotype and probable PTSD on objective and subjective cognition. Results revealed significant (p's < 0.001) interactions between Met allele carrier status and probable PTSD in objective and subjective cognition. Among individuals with probable PTSD (n = 131), the Met allele was associated with poorer objective (p < .001, d = 0.62) and subjective cognition (p = .001, d = 0.53). Among individuals without PTSD (n = 1113), the Met allele was not significantly associated with objective or subjective cognition. These findings suggest that PTSD may moderate the association between Met allele carrier status and cognition. Implications of these results for the mitigation of cognitive dysfunction in older veterans are discussed.
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Szarowicz CA, Steece-Collier K, Caulfield ME. New Frontiers in Neurodegeneration and Regeneration Associated with Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor and the rs6265 Single Nucleotide Polymorphism. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23148011. [PMID: 35887357 PMCID: PMC9319713 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23148011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2022] [Revised: 07/11/2022] [Accepted: 07/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Brain-derived neurotrophic factor is an extensively studied neurotrophin implicated in the pathology of multiple neurodegenerative and psychiatric disorders including, but not limited to, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, Huntington’s disease, traumatic brain injury, major de-pressive disorder, and schizophrenia. Here we provide a brief summary of current knowledge on the role of BDNF and the common human single nucleotide polymorphism, rs6265, in driving the pathogenesis and rehabilitation in these disorders, as well as the status of BDNF-targeted therapies. A common trend has emerged correlating low BDNF levels, either detected within the central nervous system or peripherally, to disease states, suggesting that BDNF replacement therapies may hold clinical promise. In addition, we introduce evidence for a distinct role of the BDNF pro-peptide as a biologically active ligand and the need for continuing studies on its neurological function outside of that as a molecular chaperone. Finally, we highlight the latest research describing the role of rs6265 expression in mechanisms of neurodegeneration as well as paradoxical advances in the understanding of this genetic variant in neuroregeneration. All of this is discussed in the context of personalized medicine, acknowledging there is no “one size fits all” therapy for neurodegenerative or psychiatric disorders and that continued study of the multiple BDNF isoforms and genetic variants represents an avenue for discovery ripe with therapeutic potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlye A. Szarowicz
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, College of Human Medicine, Michigan State University, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, USA; (C.A.S.); (K.S.-C.)
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
| | - Kathy Steece-Collier
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, College of Human Medicine, Michigan State University, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, USA; (C.A.S.); (K.S.-C.)
| | - Margaret E. Caulfield
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, College of Human Medicine, Michigan State University, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, USA; (C.A.S.); (K.S.-C.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-616-234-0969; Fax: +1- 616-234-0991
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Carmichael J, Hicks AJ, Spitz G, Gould KR, Ponsford J. Moderators of gene-outcome associations following traumatic brain injury. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2021; 130:107-124. [PMID: 34411558 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2021.08.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2021] [Revised: 07/04/2021] [Accepted: 08/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The field of genomics is the principal avenue in the ongoing development of precision/personalised medicine for a variety of health conditions. However, relating genes to outcomes is notoriously complex, especially when considering that other variables can change, or moderate, gene-outcome associations. Here, we comprehensively discuss moderation of gene-outcome associations in the context of traumatic brain injury (TBI), a common, chronically debilitating, and costly neurological condition that is under complex polygenic influence. We focus our narrative review on single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of three of the most studied genes (apolipoprotein E, brain-derived neurotrophic factor, and catechol-O-methyltransferase) and on three demographic variables believed to moderate associations between these SNPs and TBI outcomes (age, biological sex, and ethnicity). We speculate on the mechanisms which may underlie these moderating effects, drawing widely from biomolecular and behavioural research (n = 175 scientific reports) within the TBI population (n = 72) and other neurological, healthy, ageing, and psychiatric populations (n = 103). We conclude with methodological recommendations for improved exploration of moderators in future genetics research in TBI and other populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jai Carmichael
- Monash-Epworth Rehabilitation Research Centre, Epworth HealthCare, Melbourne, Australia; Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Australia.
| | - Amelia J Hicks
- Monash-Epworth Rehabilitation Research Centre, Epworth HealthCare, Melbourne, Australia; Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
| | - Gershon Spitz
- Monash-Epworth Rehabilitation Research Centre, Epworth HealthCare, Melbourne, Australia; Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
| | - Kate Rachel Gould
- Monash-Epworth Rehabilitation Research Centre, Epworth HealthCare, Melbourne, Australia; Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
| | - Jennie Ponsford
- Monash-Epworth Rehabilitation Research Centre, Epworth HealthCare, Melbourne, Australia; Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
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Nichols ES, Wild CJ, Owen AM, Soddu A. Cognition across the Lifespan: Investigating Age, Sex, and Other Sociodemographic Influences. Behav Sci (Basel) 2021; 11:bs11040051. [PMID: 33924660 PMCID: PMC8070049 DOI: 10.3390/bs11040051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2021] [Revised: 04/10/2021] [Accepted: 04/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Maintaining cognitive health across the lifespan has been the focus of a multi-billion-dollar industry. In order to guide treatment and interventions, a clear understanding of the way that proficiency in different cognitive domains develops and declines in both sexes across the lifespan is necessary. Additionally, there are sex differences in a range of other factors, including psychiatric illnesses such as anxiety, depression, and substance use, that are also known to affect cognition, although the scale of this interaction is unknown. Our objective was to assess differences in cognitive function across the lifespan in men and women in a large, representative sample. Leveraging online cognitive testing, a sample of 9451 men and 9451 women ranging in age from 12 to 69 (M = 28.21) matched on socio-demographic factors were studied. Segmented regression was used to model three cognitive domains—working memory, verbal abilities, and reasoning. Sex differences in all three domains were minimal; however, after broadening the sample in terms of socio-demographic factors, sex differences appeared. These results suggest that cognition across the lifespan differs for men and women, but is greatly influenced by environmental factors. We discuss these findings within a framework that describes sex differences in cognition as likely guided by a complex interplay between biology and environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily S. Nichols
- Faculty of Education, Western University, London, ON N6A 3K7, Canada
- Brain and Mind Institute, Western University, London, ON N6A 3K7, Canada; (C.J.W.); (A.M.O.); (A.S.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-519-661-2111 (ext. 89151)
| | - Conor J. Wild
- Brain and Mind Institute, Western University, London, ON N6A 3K7, Canada; (C.J.W.); (A.M.O.); (A.S.)
| | - Adrian M. Owen
- Brain and Mind Institute, Western University, London, ON N6A 3K7, Canada; (C.J.W.); (A.M.O.); (A.S.)
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Western University, London, ON N6A 3K7, Canada
- Department of Psychology, Western University, London, ON N6A 3K7, Canada
| | - Andrea Soddu
- Brain and Mind Institute, Western University, London, ON N6A 3K7, Canada; (C.J.W.); (A.M.O.); (A.S.)
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Western University, London, ON N6A 3K7, Canada
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de Las Heras B, Rodrigues L, Cristini J, Weiss M, Prats-Puig A, Roig M. Does the Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Val66Met Polymorphism Modulate the Effects of Physical Activity and Exercise on Cognition? Neuroscientist 2020; 28:69-86. [PMID: 33300425 DOI: 10.1177/1073858420975712] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The Val66Met is a polymorphism of the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) gene that encodes a substitution of a valine (Val) to methionine (Met) amino acid. Carrying this polymorphism reduces the activity-dependent secretion of the BDNF protein, which can potentially affect brain plasticity and cognition. We reviewed the biology of Val66Met and surveyed 26 studies (11,417 participants) that examined the role of this polymorphism in moderating the cognitive response to physical activity (PA) and exercise. Nine observational studies confirmed a moderating effect of Val66Met on the cognitive response to PA but differences between Val and Met carriers were inconsistent and only significant in some cognitive domains. Only five interventional studies found a moderating effect of Val66Met on the cognitive response to exercise, which was also inconsistent in its direction. Two studies showed a superior cognitive response in Val carriers and three studies showed a better response in Met carriers. These results do not support a general and consistent effect of Val66Met in moderating the cognitive response to PA or exercise. Both Val and Met carriers can improve specific aspects of cognition by increasing PA and engaging in exercise. Causes for discrepancies among studies, effect moderators, and future directions are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bernat de Las Heras
- Memory and Motor Rehabilitation Laboratory (MEMORY-LAB), Feil and Oberfeld Research Centre, Jewish Rehabilitation Hospital, Montreal Center for Interdisciplinary Research in Rehabilitation (CRIR), Laval, Quebec, Canada.,School of Physical and Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Lynden Rodrigues
- Memory and Motor Rehabilitation Laboratory (MEMORY-LAB), Feil and Oberfeld Research Centre, Jewish Rehabilitation Hospital, Montreal Center for Interdisciplinary Research in Rehabilitation (CRIR), Laval, Quebec, Canada.,School of Physical and Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Jacopo Cristini
- Memory and Motor Rehabilitation Laboratory (MEMORY-LAB), Feil and Oberfeld Research Centre, Jewish Rehabilitation Hospital, Montreal Center for Interdisciplinary Research in Rehabilitation (CRIR), Laval, Quebec, Canada.,School of Physical and Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Maxana Weiss
- Memory and Motor Rehabilitation Laboratory (MEMORY-LAB), Feil and Oberfeld Research Centre, Jewish Rehabilitation Hospital, Montreal Center for Interdisciplinary Research in Rehabilitation (CRIR), Laval, Quebec, Canada.,School of Physical and Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Anna Prats-Puig
- University School of Health and Sport (EUSES), University of Girona, Girona, Catalunya, Spain
| | - Marc Roig
- Memory and Motor Rehabilitation Laboratory (MEMORY-LAB), Feil and Oberfeld Research Centre, Jewish Rehabilitation Hospital, Montreal Center for Interdisciplinary Research in Rehabilitation (CRIR), Laval, Quebec, Canada.,School of Physical and Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
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11
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The impact of BDNF Val66Met on cognitive skills in veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder. Neurosci Lett 2020; 735:135235. [PMID: 32629065 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2020.135235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2020] [Revised: 06/14/2020] [Accepted: 07/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a trauma-induced disorder characterized with impaired cognitive function. BDNF modulates cognition and is involved in neuroprotection and neurocognitive processing. The BDNF Val66Met polymorphism was found to influence cognitive functions. In PTSD, carriers of the BDNF GG genotype had better spatial processing of navigation performance, and lower hyperarousal and startle reaction than A allele carriers. The hypothesis was that veterans with PTSD, carriers of the BDNF Val66Met A allele, will show reduced cognitive skills. The study included 315 male Caucasian combat veterans, with (N = 199) or without (N = 116) current and chronic PTSD. Cognition was assessed using the Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure (ROCF) test that determines visual-spatial perception and short and long-term visual memory function. The results revealed that cognitive decline measured with ROCF test was associated with PTSD. Presence of the BDNF Val66Met GG genotype in veterans with PTSD, but not in veterans without PTSD, showed protective association with visual short-term memory and visual object manipulation after few seconds (executive function), assessed with the ROCF immediate recall test, compared to the A carriers with PTSD. In conclusion, this was the first study to confirm the association between BDNF Val66Met and memory and attention performed with ROCF in male veterans with PTSD. The results corroborated that the BDNF Val66Met A allele, compared to GG genotype, is associated with poorer short-term visual memory and attention linked with executive functions, in veterans with PTSD.
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12
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The BDNF Val66Met Polymorphism Modulates Resilience of Neurological Functioning to Brain Ageing and Dementia: A Narrative Review. Brain Sci 2020; 10:brainsci10040195. [PMID: 32218234 PMCID: PMC7226504 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci10040195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2020] [Revised: 03/19/2020] [Accepted: 03/24/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Brain-derived neurotropic factor (BDNF) is an abundant and multi-function neurotrophin in the brain. It is released following neuronal activity and is believed to be particularly important in strengthening neural networks. A common variation in the BDNF gene, a valine to methionine substitution at codon 66 (Val66Met), has been linked to differential expression of BDNF associated with experience-dependent plasticity. The Met allele has been associated with reduced production of BDNF following neuronal stimulation, which suggests a potential role of this variation with respect to how the nervous system may respond to challenges, such as brain ageing and related neurodegenerative conditions (e.g., dementia and Alzheimer’s disease). The current review examines the potential of the BDNF Val66Met variation to modulate an individual’s susceptibility and trajectory through cognitive changes associated with ageing and dementia. On balance, research to date indicates that the BDNF Met allele at this codon is potentially associated with a detrimental influence on the level of cognitive functioning in older adults and may also impart increased risk of progression to dementia. Furthermore, recent studies also show that this genetic variation may modulate an individual’s response to interventions targeted at building cognitive resilience to conditions that cause dementia.
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Utami N, Effendy E, Amin M. The Relation of Brain-Derived Neurotropic Factor (BDNF) Serum Level to Sub-Domain Cognitive Functions of Indonesian Schizophrenia Patients Measured by MoCA-Ina. Open Access Maced J Med Sci 2019; 7:4053-4058. [PMID: 32165951 PMCID: PMC7061403 DOI: 10.3889/oamjms.2019.705] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2019] [Revised: 12/16/2019] [Accepted: 12/17/2019] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND BDNF implies to the development of abnormal nerves and neurotransmission that occurred during the changes of cognitive functions. However, in determining initial diagnosis of schizophrenia, measurements focus on the presences of positive and negative symptoms, and general psychopathological features without concerning the BDNF serum, which involves in central nervous system as the main symptom of schizophrenia. AIM To determine the relation of BDNF serum level to cognitive functions of schizophrenia patients based on sub-domain of Montreal Cognitive Assessment Indonesia Version (MoCA-Ina). METHODS This study was carried out based on observational analysis with cross-sectional design study. The samples were collected by non-probability sampling and consecutive sampling by recruiting 65 of male schizophrenia patients at Prof. Dr. M. Ildrem Mental Hospital, Medan, North Sumatera, Indonesia. BDNF serum levels were analysed throughout quantitative sandwich enzyme immunoassay method, while the cognitive functions were conducted by performing the MoCA-Ina, which concern to attentions and concentrations, executive function, memory, languages, visuoconstructional abilities, numerical calculation, and orientation. RESULTS The serum level of BDNF was accounted averagely for 27161.26, with 5350.37 of standard deviation. There was positive correlation with medium strength (r = 0.4 - < 0.6) in visuospatial function, attention (r = 0.437), and memory (r = 0.413). CONCLUSION Relation between BDNF serum level and cognitive function occurred in visuospatial, attention and memory domains based on MoCA-Ina assessment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nurul Utami
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Sumatera Utara, Medan 20155, Indonesia
| | - Elmeida Effendy
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Sumatera Utara, Medan 20155, Indonesia
| | - Mustafa Amin
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Sumatera Utara, Medan 20155, Indonesia
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Miranda M, Morici JF, Zanoni MB, Bekinschtein P. Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor: A Key Molecule for Memory in the Healthy and the Pathological Brain. Front Cell Neurosci 2019; 13:363. [PMID: 31440144 PMCID: PMC6692714 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2019.00363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 674] [Impact Index Per Article: 134.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2019] [Accepted: 07/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) is a key molecule involved in plastic changes related to learning and memory. The expression of BDNF is highly regulated, and can lead to great variability in BDNF levels in healthy subjects. Changes in BDNF expression are associated with both normal and pathological aging and also psychiatric disease, in particular in structures important for memory processes such as the hippocampus and parahippocampal areas. Some interventions like exercise or antidepressant administration enhance the expression of BDNF in normal and pathological conditions. In this review, we will describe studies from rodents and humans to bring together research on how BDNF expression is regulated, how this expression changes in the pathological brain and also exciting work on how interventions known to enhance this neurotrophin could have clinical relevance. We propose that, although BDNF may not be a valid biomarker for neurodegenerative/neuropsychiatric diseases because of its disregulation common to many pathological conditions, it could be thought of as a marker that specifically relates to the occurrence and/or progression of the mnemonic symptoms that are common to many pathological conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magdalena Miranda
- Laboratory of Memory Research and Molecular Cognition, Institute for Cognitive and Translational Neuroscience, Instituto de Neurología Cognitiva, CONICET, Universidad Favaloro, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Juan Facundo Morici
- Laboratory of Memory Research and Molecular Cognition, Institute for Cognitive and Translational Neuroscience, Instituto de Neurología Cognitiva, CONICET, Universidad Favaloro, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - María Belén Zanoni
- Laboratory of Memory Research and Molecular Cognition, Institute for Cognitive and Translational Neuroscience, Instituto de Neurología Cognitiva, CONICET, Universidad Favaloro, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Pedro Bekinschtein
- Laboratory of Memory Research and Molecular Cognition, Institute for Cognitive and Translational Neuroscience, Instituto de Neurología Cognitiva, CONICET, Universidad Favaloro, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Lee YI, Kim YG, Pyeon HJ, Ahn JC, Logan S, Orock A, Joo KM, Lőrincz A, Deák F. Dysregulation of the SNARE-binding protein Munc18-1 impairs BDNF secretion and synaptic neurotransmission: a novel interventional target to protect the aging brain. GeroScience 2019; 41:109-123. [PMID: 31041658 PMCID: PMC6544690 DOI: 10.1007/s11357-019-00067-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2017] [Accepted: 04/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) has a central role in maintaining and strengthening neuronal connections and to stimulate neurogenesis in the adult brain. Decreased levels of BDNF in the aging brain are thought to usher cognitive impairment. BDNF is stored in dense core vesicles and released through exocytosis from the neurites. The exact mechanism for the regulation of BDNF secretion is not well understood. Munc18-1 (STXBP1) was found to be essential for the exocytosis of synaptic vesicles, but its involvement in BDNF secretion is not known. Interestingly, neurons lacking munc18-1 undergo severe degeneration in knock-out mice. Here, we report the effects of BDNF treatment on the presynaptic terminal using munc18-1-deficient neurons. Reduced expression of munc18-1 in heterozygous (+/-) neurons diminishes synaptic transmitter release, as tested here on individual synaptic connections with FM1-43 fluorescence imaging. Transduction of cultured neurons with BDNF markedly increased BDNF secretion in wild-type but was less effective in munc18-1 +/- cells. In turn, BDNF enhanced synaptic functions and restored the severe synaptic dysfunction induced by munc18-1 deficiency. The role of munc18-1 in the synaptic effect of BDNF is highlighted by the finding that BDNF upregulated the expression of munc18-1 in neurons, consistent with enhanced synaptic functions. Accordingly, this is the first evidence showing the functional effect of BDNF in munc18-1 deficient synapses and about the direct role of munc18-1 in the regulation of BDNF secretion. We propose a molecular model of BDNF secretion and discuss its potential as therapeutic target to prevent cognitive decline in the elderly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Young Il Lee
- Department of Anatomy, College of Medicine, Dankook University, Cheonan, 330-714, South Korea
| | - Yun Gi Kim
- Department of Anatomy, College of Medicine, Dankook University, Cheonan, 330-714, South Korea
- Department of Nanobiomedical Science and WCU Research Center, Dankook University, Cheonan, 330-714, South Korea
| | - Hee Jang Pyeon
- Department of Nanobiomedical Science and WCU Research Center, Dankook University, Cheonan, 330-714, South Korea
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Jin Chul Ahn
- Department of Biomedical Science, Dankook University, Cheonan, 330-714, South Korea
- Biomedical Translational Research Institute, Dankook University, Cheonan, 330-714, South Korea
| | - Sreemathi Logan
- Departments of Geriatric Medicine and Physiology, University Oklahoma HSC, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
- Reynolds Oklahoma Center on Aging, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
- Oklahoma Center for Neuroscience, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
| | - Albert Orock
- Departments of Geriatric Medicine and Physiology, University Oklahoma HSC, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
- Reynolds Oklahoma Center on Aging, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
- Oklahoma Center for Neuroscience, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
| | - Kyeung Min Joo
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
- Single Cell Network Research Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Suwon, South Korea
| | - Andrea Lőrincz
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, USA
- Florida State College at Jacksonville, 4500 Capper Rd, Jacksonville, FL, 32218, USA
| | - Ferenc Deák
- Departments of Geriatric Medicine and Physiology, University Oklahoma HSC, Oklahoma City, OK, USA.
- Reynolds Oklahoma Center on Aging, Oklahoma City, OK, USA.
- Oklahoma Center for Neuroscience, Oklahoma City, OK, USA.
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, USA.
- Reynolds Oklahoma Center on Aging, Department of Geriatric Medicine, University of Oklahoma HSC, 975 N. E. 10th Street/SLY-BRC 1309-B, Oklahoma City, OK, 73104-5419, USA.
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Dumitrescu L, Mayeda ER, Sharman K, Moore AM, Hohman TJ. Sex Differences in the Genetic Architecture of Alzheimer's Disease. CURRENT GENETIC MEDICINE REPORTS 2019; 7:13-21. [PMID: 31360619 PMCID: PMC6662731 DOI: 10.1007/s40142-019-0157-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Summarize sex-specific contributors to the genetic architecture of Alzheimer's disease (AD). RECENT FINDINGS There are sex differences in the effects of Apolipoprotein E (APOE), genes along the APOE pathway, and genes along the neurotrophic signaling pathway in predicting AD. Reported sex differences are largely driven by stronger associations among females. Evidence also suggests that genetic predictors of amyloidosis are largely shared across sexes, while sex-specific genetic effects emerge downstream of amyloidosis and drive the clinical manifestation of AD. SUMMARY There is a lack of comprehensive assessments of sex differences in genome-wide analyses of AD and a need for more systematic reporting a sex-stratified genetic effects. The emerging emphasis on sex as a biological variable provides an opportunity for transdisciplinary collaborations aimed at addressing major analytical challenges that have hampered advancements in the field. Ultimately, sex-specific genetic association studies represent a logical first step towards precision medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Logan Dumitrescu
- Vanderbilt Memory and Alzheimer’s Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN
- Vanderbilt Genetics Institute, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN
| | - Elizabeth Rose Mayeda
- Department of Epidemiology, Fielding School of Public Health, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Kavya Sharman
- Vanderbilt Memory and Alzheimer’s Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN
- Vanderbilt Genetics Institute, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN
| | - Annah M. Moore
- Vanderbilt Memory and Alzheimer’s Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN
- Vanderbilt Genetics Institute, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN
| | - Timothy J. Hohman
- Vanderbilt Memory and Alzheimer’s Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN
- Vanderbilt Genetics Institute, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN
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Abstract
Engaging in targeted exercise interventions is a promising, non-pharmacological strategy to mitigate the deleterious effects of aging and disease on brain health. However, despite its therapeutic potential, a large amount of variation exists in exercise efficacy in older adults aged 55 and older. In this review, we present the argument that biological sex may be an important moderator of the relationship between physical activity and cognition. Sex differences exist in dementia as well as in several associated risk factors, including genetics, cardiovascular factors, inflammation, hormones and social and psychological factors. Different exercise interventions, such as aerobic training and resistance training, influence cognition and brain health in older adults and these effects may be sex-dependent. The biological mechanisms underlying the beneficial effects of exercise on the brain may be different in males and females. Specifically, we examine sex differences in neuroplasticity, neurotrophic factors and physiological effects of exercise to highlight the possible mediators of sex differences in exercise efficacy on cognition. Future studies should address the potential sex difference in exercise efficacy if we are to develop effective, evidence-based exercise interventions to promote healthy brain aging for all individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cindy K Barha
- Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, Vancouver, Canada.,Department of Physical Therapy, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Teresa Liu-Ambrose
- Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, Vancouver, Canada.,Department of Physical Therapy, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.,Centre for Hip Health and Mobility, Vancouver, Canada
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18
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K Barha C, Liu-Ambrose T. Exercise and the Aging Brain: Considerations for Sex Differences. Brain Plast 2018. [DOI: 10.3233/bpl-1867] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Cindy K Barha
- Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, Vancouver, Canada
- Department of Physical Therapy, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Teresa Liu-Ambrose
- Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, Vancouver, Canada
- Department of Physical Therapy, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
- Centre for Hip Health and Mobility, Vancouver, Canada
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Tsai SJ. Critical Issues in BDNF Val66Met Genetic Studies of Neuropsychiatric Disorders. Front Mol Neurosci 2018; 11:156. [PMID: 29867348 PMCID: PMC5962780 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2018.00156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2018] [Accepted: 04/24/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurotrophins have been implicated in the pathophysiology of many neuropsychiatric diseases. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is the most abundant and widely distributed neurotrophin in the brain. Its Val66Met polymorphism (refSNP Cluster Report: rs6265) is a common and functional single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) affecting the activity-dependent release of BDNF. BDNF Val66Met transgenic mice have been generated, which may provide further insight into the functional impact of this polymorphism in the brain. Considering the important role of BDNF in brain function, more than 1,100 genetic studies have investigated this polymorphism in the past 15 years. Although these studies have reported some encouraging positive findings initially, most of the findings cannot be replicated in following studies. These inconsistencies in BDNF Val66Met genetic studies may be attributed to many factors such as age, sex, environmental factors, ethnicity, genetic model used for analysis, and gene–gene interaction, which are discussed in this review. We also discuss the results of recent studies that have reported the novel functions of this polymorphism. Because many BDNF polymorphisms and non-genetic factors have been implicated in the complex traits of neuropsychiatric diseases, the conventional genetic association-based method is limited to address these complex interactions. Future studies should apply data mining and machine learning techniques to determine the genetic role of BDNF in neuropsychiatric diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shih-Jen Tsai
- Department of Psychiatry, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.,School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Institute of Brain Science, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan
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20
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Ward DD, Andel R, Saunders NL, Thow ME, Klekociuk SZ, Bindoff AD, Vickers JC. The BDNF Val66Met polymorphism moderates the effect of cognitive reserve on 36-month cognitive change in healthy older adults. ALZHEIMERS & DEMENTIA-TRANSLATIONAL RESEARCH & CLINICAL INTERVENTIONS 2017; 3:323-331. [PMID: 29067339 PMCID: PMC5651414 DOI: 10.1016/j.trci.2017.04.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Introduction Cognitive reserve (CR) and BDNF Val66Met are independently associated with the rate of cognitive decline in preclinical Alzheimer's disease. This study was designed to investigate the interactive effects of these variables on 36-month cognitive change in cognitively intact older adults. Methods Data for this investigation were obtained from 445 community-residing participants of the Tasmanian Healthy Brain Project, who underwent genetic screening and annual assessment of neuropsychological, health, and psychosocial function. Results Our main result was that BDNF Val66Met moderated the relationship between baseline CR and change in executive function performance, in that CR-related differences in function decreased across the follow-up period in BDNF Val homozygotes, but became more pronounced in BDNF Met carriers. Similar effects were not observed within the other memory- and language-related cognitive domains. Discussion Inheritance of BDNF Met may be associated with a detrimental influence on the relationship between CR and cognitive change in cognitively intact older adults, but this effect may be restricted to the executive function domain.
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Affiliation(s)
- David D Ward
- Wicking Dementia Research & Education Centre, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
| | - Ross Andel
- School of Aging Studies, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Nichole L Saunders
- Wicking Dementia Research & Education Centre, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
| | - Megan E Thow
- Wicking Dementia Research & Education Centre, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
| | - Shannon Z Klekociuk
- Wicking Dementia Research & Education Centre, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
| | - Aidan D Bindoff
- Wicking Dementia Research & Education Centre, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
| | - James C Vickers
- Wicking Dementia Research & Education Centre, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
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21
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Lin CH, Lin E, Lane HY. Genetic Biomarkers on Age-Related Cognitive Decline. Front Psychiatry 2017; 8:247. [PMID: 29209239 PMCID: PMC5702307 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2017.00247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2017] [Accepted: 11/07/2017] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
With ever-increasing elder populations, age-related cognitive decline, which is characterized as a gradual decline in cognitive capacity in the aging process, has turned out to be a mammoth public health concern. Since genetic information has become increasingly important to explore the biological mechanisms of cognitive decline, the search for genetic biomarkers of cognitive aging has received much attention. There is growing evidence that single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within the ADAMTS9, BDNF, CASS4, COMT, CR1, DNMT3A, DTNBP1, REST, SRR, TOMM40, circadian clock, and Alzheimer's diseases-associated genes may contribute to susceptibility to cognitive aging. In this review, we first illustrated evidence of the genetic contribution to disease susceptibility to age-related cognitive decline in recent studies ranging from approaches of candidate genes to genome-wide association studies. We then surveyed a variety of association studies regarding age-related cognitive decline with consideration of gene-gene and gene-environment interactions. Finally, we highlighted their limitations and future directions. In light of advances in precision medicine and multi-omics technologies, future research in genomic medicine promises to lead to innovative ideas that are relevant to disease prevention and novel drugs for cognitive aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chieh-Hsin Lin
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan.,Department of Psychiatry, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.,Center for General Education, Cheng Shiu University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Eugene Lin
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan.,Department of Electrical Engineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States.,TickleFish Systems Corporation, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Hsien-Yuan Lane
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan.,Department of Psychiatry, Brain Disease Research Center, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
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Barha CK, Galea LA, Nagamatsu LS, Erickson KI, Liu-Ambrose T. Personalising exercise recommendations for brain health: considerations and future directions. Br J Sports Med 2016; 51:636-639. [DOI: 10.1136/bjsports-2016-096710] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/31/2016] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
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Interactive effects of age and multi-gene profile on motor learning and sensorimotor adaptation. Neuropsychologia 2016; 84:222-34. [PMID: 26926580 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2016.02.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2015] [Revised: 02/03/2016] [Accepted: 02/17/2016] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
The interactive association of age and dopaminergic polymorphisms on cognitive function has been studied extensively. However, there is limited research on whether age interacts with the association between genetic polymorphisms and motor learning. We examined a group of young and older adults' performance in three motor tasks: explicit sequence learning, visuomotor adaptation, and grooved pegboard. We assessed whether individuals' motor learning and performance were associated with their age and genotypes. We selected three genetic polymorphisms: Catechol-O-Methyl Transferase (COMT val158met) and Dopamine D2 Receptor (DRD2 G>T), which are involved with dopaminergic regulation, and Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF val66met) that modulates neuroplasticity and has been shown to interact with dopaminergic genes. Although the underlying mechanisms of the function of these three genotypes are different, the high performance alleles of each have been linked to better learning and performance. We created a composite polygene score based on the Number of High Performance Alleles (NHPA) that each individual carried. We found several associations between genetic profile, motor performance, and sensorimotor adaptation. More importantly, we found that this association varies with age, task type, and engagement of implicit versus explicit learning processes.
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Tromp D, Dufour A, Lithfous S, Pebayle T, Després O. Episodic memory in normal aging and Alzheimer disease: Insights from imaging and behavioral studies. Ageing Res Rev 2015; 24:232-62. [PMID: 26318058 DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2015.08.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 198] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2015] [Accepted: 08/20/2015] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Age-related cognitive changes often include difficulties in retrieving memories, particularly those that rely on personal experiences within their temporal and spatial contexts (i.e., episodic memories). This decline may vary depending on the studied phase (i.e., encoding, storage or retrieval), according to inter-individual differences, and whether we are talking about normal or pathological (e.g., Alzheimer disease; AD) aging. Such cognitive changes are associated with different structural and functional alterations in the human neural network that underpins episodic memory. The prefrontal cortex is the first structure to be affected by age, followed by the medial temporal lobe (MTL), the parietal cortex and the cerebellum. In AD, however, the modifications occur mainly in the MTL (hippocampus and adjacent structures) before spreading to the neocortex. In this review, we will present results that attempt to characterize normal and pathological cognitive aging at multiple levels by integrating structural, behavioral, inter-individual and neuroimaging measures of episodic memory.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Tromp
- Laboratoire de Neurosciences Cognitives et Adaptatives (LNCA - UMR 7364 - CNRS/UDS) - 21 rue Becquerel, 67087 Strasbourg, France.
| | - A Dufour
- Laboratoire de Neurosciences Cognitives et Adaptatives (LNCA - UMR 7364 - CNRS/UDS) - 21 rue Becquerel, 67087 Strasbourg, France; Centre d'Investigations Neurocognitives et Neurophysiologiques (CI2N - UMS 3489 - CNRS/UDS) - 21 rue Becquerel, 67087 Strasbourg, France
| | - S Lithfous
- Laboratoire de Neurosciences Cognitives et Adaptatives (LNCA - UMR 7364 - CNRS/UDS) - 21 rue Becquerel, 67087 Strasbourg, France
| | - T Pebayle
- Centre d'Investigations Neurocognitives et Neurophysiologiques (CI2N - UMS 3489 - CNRS/UDS) - 21 rue Becquerel, 67087 Strasbourg, France
| | - O Després
- Laboratoire de Neurosciences Cognitives et Adaptatives (LNCA - UMR 7364 - CNRS/UDS) - 21 rue Becquerel, 67087 Strasbourg, France.
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Koven NS, Collins LR. Urinary brain-derived neurotrophic factor as a biomarker of executive functioning. Neuropsychobiology 2015; 69:227-34. [PMID: 24942240 DOI: 10.1159/000362242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2013] [Accepted: 03/17/2014] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIMS Neurotrophins such as brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) are vital for neuronal survival and adaptive plasticity. With high BDNF gene expression in the prefrontal cortex, BDNF is a potential regulatory factor for building and maintaining cognitive reserves. Recent studies suggest that individual differences in executive functioning, a broad cognitive domain reliant upon frontal lobe structure and function, are governed in part by variance in BDNF polymorphisms. However, as neurogenetic data are not necessarily indicative of in vivo neurochemistry, this study examines the relationship between executive functioning and the neurotransmitter by measuring peripheral BDNF levels. METHODS Fifty-two healthy young adults completed a battery of standardized executive function tests. BDNF levels, adjusted for creatinine, were quantified with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay of urine samples taken at the time of testing. RESULTS BDNF concentration was positively associated with cognitive flexibility but had no relationship with working memory, abstract reasoning/planning, self-monitoring/response inhibition, or fluency. CONCLUSIONS These results individuate cognitive flexibility as the specific facet of executive functioning associated with in vivo BDNF levels. This study also validates urinary BDNF as a peripheral biomarker of cognition in healthy adults.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nancy S Koven
- Program in Neuroscience, Department of Psychology, Bates College, Lewiston, Maine, USA
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26
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Corrêa M, Vedovelli K, Giacobbo B, de Souza C, Ferrari P, de Lima Argimon I, Walz J, Kapczinski F, Bromberg E. Psychophysiological correlates of cognitive deficits in family caregivers of patients with Alzheimer Disease. Neuroscience 2015; 286:371-82. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2014.11.052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2014] [Revised: 11/19/2014] [Accepted: 11/25/2014] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
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Kennedy KM, Reese ED, Horn MM, Sizemore AN, Unni AK, Meerbrey ME, Kalich AG, Rodrigue KM. BDNF val66met polymorphism affects aging of multiple types of memory. Brain Res 2014; 1612:104-17. [PMID: 25264352 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2014.09.044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2014] [Revised: 09/15/2014] [Accepted: 09/19/2014] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
The BDNF val66met polymorphism (rs6265) influences activity-dependent secretion of brain-derived neurotrophic factor in the synapse, which is crucial for learning and memory. Individuals homozygous or heterozygous for the met allele have lower BDNF secretion than val homozygotes and may be at risk for reduced declarative memory performance, but it remains unclear which types of declarative memory may be affected and how aging of memory across the lifespan is impacted by the BDNF val66met polymorphism. This cross-sectional study investigated the effects of BDNF polymorphism on multiple indices of memory (item, associative, prospective, subjective complaints) in a lifespan sample of 116 healthy adults aged 20-93 years. Advancing age showed a negative effect on item, associative and prospective memory, but not on subjective memory complaints. For item and prospective memory, there were significant age×BDNF group interactions, indicating the adverse effect of age on memory performance across the lifespan was much stronger in the BDNF met carriers than for the val homozygotes. BDNF met carriers also endorsed significantly greater subjective memory complaints, regardless of age, and showed a trend (p<.07) toward poorer associative memory performance compared to val homozygotes. These results suggest that genetic predisposition to the availability of brain-derived neurotrophic factor, by way of the BDNF val66met polymorphism, exerts an influence on multiple indices of episodic memory - in some cases in all individuals regardless of age (subjective memory and perhaps associative memory), in others as an exacerbation of age-related differences in memory across the lifespan (item and prospective memory). This article is part of a Special Issue entitled Memory & Aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristen M Kennedy
- Center for Vital Longevity, School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, The University of Texas at Dallas, 1600 Viceroy Dr., Ste 800, Dallas, TX 75235, United States.
| | - Elizabeth D Reese
- Center for Vital Longevity, School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, The University of Texas at Dallas, 1600 Viceroy Dr., Ste 800, Dallas, TX 75235, United States
| | - Marci M Horn
- Center for Vital Longevity, School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, The University of Texas at Dallas, 1600 Viceroy Dr., Ste 800, Dallas, TX 75235, United States
| | - April N Sizemore
- Center for Vital Longevity, School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, The University of Texas at Dallas, 1600 Viceroy Dr., Ste 800, Dallas, TX 75235, United States
| | - Asha K Unni
- Center for Vital Longevity, School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, The University of Texas at Dallas, 1600 Viceroy Dr., Ste 800, Dallas, TX 75235, United States
| | - Michael E Meerbrey
- Center for Vital Longevity, School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, The University of Texas at Dallas, 1600 Viceroy Dr., Ste 800, Dallas, TX 75235, United States
| | - Allan G Kalich
- Center for Vital Longevity, School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, The University of Texas at Dallas, 1600 Viceroy Dr., Ste 800, Dallas, TX 75235, United States
| | - Karen M Rodrigue
- Center for Vital Longevity, School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, The University of Texas at Dallas, 1600 Viceroy Dr., Ste 800, Dallas, TX 75235, United States
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Schmidt-Kassow M, Zink N, Mock J, Thiel C, Vogt L, Abel C, Kaiser J. Treadmill walking during vocabulary encoding improves verbal long-term memory. Behav Brain Funct 2014; 10:24. [PMID: 25015595 PMCID: PMC4114134 DOI: 10.1186/1744-9081-10-24] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2014] [Accepted: 07/05/2014] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Moderate physical activity improves various cognitive functions, particularly when it is applied simultaneously to the cognitive task. In two psychoneuroendocrinological within-subject experiments, we investigated whether very low-intensity motor activity, i.e. walking, during foreign-language vocabulary encoding improves subsequent recall compared to encoding during physical rest. Furthermore, we examined the kinetics of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in serum and salivary cortisol. Previous research has associated both substances with memory performance. In both experiments, subjects performed better when they were motorically active during encoding compared to being sedentary. BDNF in serum was unrelated to memory performance. In contrast we found a positive correlation between salivary cortisol concentration and the number of correctly recalled items. In summary, even very light physical activity during encoding is beneficial for subsequent recall.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maren Schmidt-Kassow
- Institute of Medical Psychology, Goethe University, 60528 Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
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Ward DD, Summers MJ, Saunders NL, Janssen P, Stuart KE, Vickers JC. APOE and BDNF Val66Met polymorphisms combine to influence episodic memory function in older adults. Behav Brain Res 2014; 271:309-15. [PMID: 24946073 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2014.06.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2014] [Revised: 06/09/2014] [Accepted: 06/10/2014] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Genetic polymorphisms of apolipoprotein E (APOE) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) have shown inconsistent associations with healthy adult cognitive functions. Recent investigations have suggested that APOE polymorphisms do not contribute to non-pathological cognitive function and that any effect is likely due to prodromal Alzheimer's disease (AD). Similarly, although BDNF Val66Met polymorphisms affect hippocampal morphology and function, associations with learning and/or memory have not always been found. This study sought to determine whether APOE and BDNF polymorphisms were associated, either independently or in combination, with adult cognition. Comprehensive neuropsychological assessments were conducted on 433 older adults, aged 50-79 years (M=62.16, SD=6.81), which yielded measures of episodic memory, working memory, executive function, and language processing. Participants underwent comprehensive neuropsychological assessment to ensure that only cognitively intact individuals comprised the sample. APOE and BDNF polymorphic data were used as predictors in general linear models that assessed composite cognitive domain variables, while covarying for education and age. Although no main effects for APOE or BDNF were found, the analysis identified a significant APOE×BDNF interaction that predicted episodic memory performance (p=.02, η(2)=.02). Post-hoc analyses demonstrated that in BDNF Val homozygotes, the cognitive consequences of APOE polymorphisms were minimal. However, in BDNF Met carriers, the hypothesized beneficial/detrimental effects of APOE polymorphisms were found. Our data show that concurrent consideration of both APOE and BDNF polymorphisms are required in order to witness a cognitive effect in healthy older adults.
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Affiliation(s)
- David D Ward
- School of Medicine, University of Tasmania, Australia; Wicking Dementia Research & Education Centre, University of Tasmania, Australia
| | - Mathew J Summers
- School of Medicine, University of Tasmania, Australia; Wicking Dementia Research & Education Centre, University of Tasmania, Australia.
| | - Nichole L Saunders
- Wicking Dementia Research & Education Centre, University of Tasmania, Australia
| | - Pierce Janssen
- Wicking Dementia Research & Education Centre, University of Tasmania, Australia
| | - Kimberley E Stuart
- School of Medicine, University of Tasmania, Australia; Wicking Dementia Research & Education Centre, University of Tasmania, Australia
| | - James C Vickers
- School of Medicine, University of Tasmania, Australia; Wicking Dementia Research & Education Centre, University of Tasmania, Australia
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Stuart K, Summers MJ, Valenzuela MJ, Vickers JC. BDNF and COMT polymorphisms have a limited association with episodic memory performance or engagement in complex cognitive activity in healthy older adults. Neurobiol Learn Mem 2014; 110:1-7. [PMID: 24468545 DOI: 10.1016/j.nlm.2014.01.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2013] [Revised: 01/15/2014] [Accepted: 01/19/2014] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Cognitive decline is a major factor in lowering the quality of life in older populations, and contributes substantially to social, economic, and health costs. As humans age, cognitive function decreases differentially, and individual differences in cognitive ageing are likely attributed to a range of causes, including environmental and genetic influences. The current study included 360 participants (240 females and 120 males) aged between 50 and 79years from the Tasmanian Healthy Brain Project. The brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) Val66Met and Catechol-O-Methyltransferase (COMT) Val158Met polymorphisms were examined for their association with visual and auditory episodic memory performance. The polymorphisms were also investigated for their association with reported life-long engagement in complex cognitive activity using a retrospective questionnaire. Relative to the demographic variables, the gene variations were found to have no association with episodic memory performance, with the exception of the COMT polymorphism on a single measure of auditory memory (RAVLT). Several other studies also demonstrated that these polymorphisms have no, small, or inconsistent effects on memory function. The BDNF Val66Met and COMT Val158Met polymorphisms were also found to be of little significance to active engagement in complex cognitive activity throughout most of the lifespan. An association was detected between BDNF Val66Met and engagement in cognitive activity in early life (p=.04, d=.23), however this did not reach significance when adjusted for multiple comparisons. The biological mechanisms that underlie engagement in cognitive activity are elusive, thus the potential relationship between BDNF Val66Met genotype and early life cognitive engagement warrants further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kimberley Stuart
- Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre, University of Tasmania, Australia; School of Medicine, University of Tasmania, Tasmania, Australia
| | - Mathew James Summers
- Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre, University of Tasmania, Australia; School of Psychology, University of Tasmania, Tasmania, Australia.
| | - Michael J Valenzuela
- Regenerative Neuroscience Group, Brain and Mind Research Institute, University of Sydney, Australia
| | - James C Vickers
- Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre, University of Tasmania, Australia; School of Medicine, University of Tasmania, Tasmania, Australia
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Brooks SJ, Nilsson EK, Jacobsson JA, Stein DJ, Fredriksson R, Lind L, Schiöth HB. BDNF polymorphisms are linked to poorer working memory performance, reduced cerebellar and hippocampal volumes and differences in prefrontal cortex in a Swedish elderly population. PLoS One 2014; 9:e82707. [PMID: 24465375 PMCID: PMC3900399 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0082707] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2013] [Accepted: 10/26/2013] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) links learning, memory and cognitive decline in elderly, but evidence linking BDNF allele variation, cognition and brain structural differences is lacking. Methods 367 elderly Swedish men (n = 181) and women (n = 186) from Prospective Investigation of the Vasculature in Uppsala seniors (PIVUS) were genotyped and the BDNF functional rs6265 SNP was further examined in subjects who completed the Trail Making Task (TMT), verbal fluency task, and had a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan. Voxel-based morphometry (VBM) examined brain structure, cognition and links with BDNF. Results The functional BDNF SNP (rs6265,) predicted better working memory performance on the TMT with positive association of the Met rs6265, and was linked with greater cerebellar, precuneus, left superior frontal gyrus and bilateral hippocampal volume, and reduced brainstem and bilateral posterior cingulate volumes. Conclusions The functional BDNF polymorphism influences brain volume in regions associated with memory and regulation of sensorimotor control, with the Met rs6265 allele potentially being more beneficial to these functions in the elderly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha J. Brooks
- Department of Neuroscience, Functional Pharmacology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
- Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Observatory, Cape Town, South Africa
- * E-mail:
| | - Emil K. Nilsson
- Department of Neuroscience, Functional Pharmacology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Josefin A. Jacobsson
- Department of Neuroscience, Functional Pharmacology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Dan J. Stein
- Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Observatory, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Robert Fredriksson
- Department of Neuroscience, Functional Pharmacology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Lars Lind
- Department of Medical Sciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Helgi B. Schiöth
- Department of Neuroscience, Functional Pharmacology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
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Schmidt-Kassow M, Deusser M, Thiel C, Otterbein S, Montag C, Reuter M, Banzer W, Kaiser J. Physical exercise during encoding improves vocabulary learning in young female adults: a neuroendocrinological study. PLoS One 2013; 8:e64172. [PMID: 23700461 PMCID: PMC3658977 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0064172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2012] [Accepted: 04/12/2013] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Acute physical activity has been repeatedly shown to improve various cognitive functions. However, there have been no investigations comparing the effects of exercise during verbal encoding versus exercise prior to encoding on long-term memory performance. In this current psychoneuroendocrinological study we aim to test whether light to moderate ergometric bicycling during vocabulary encoding enhances subsequent recall compared to encoding during physical rest and encoding after being physically active. Furthermore, we examined the kinetics of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in serum which has been previously shown to correlate with learning performance. We also controlled for the BDNF val66met polymorphism. We found better vocabulary test performance for subjects that were physically active during the encoding phase compared to sedentary subjects. Post-hoc tests revealed that this effect was particularly present in initially low performers. BDNF in serum and BDNF genotype failed to account for the current result. Our data indicates that light to moderate simultaneous physical activity during encoding, but not prior to encoding, is beneficial for subsequent recall of new items.
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Sex-specific effects of weight-affecting gene variants in a life course perspective--The HUNT Study, Norway. Int J Obes (Lond) 2013; 37:1221-9. [PMID: 23318717 DOI: 10.1038/ijo.2012.220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2012] [Revised: 11/29/2012] [Accepted: 12/02/2012] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The impact of previously identified genetic variants directly or indirectly associated with obesity, were investigated at birth, adolescence and adulthood to provide knowledge concerning timing and mechanisms of obesity susceptibility with focus on sex differences. DESIGN Twenty four previously identified obesity- and eating disorder susceptibility loci were tested for association with adiposity traits at birth (ponderal index (PI)), adolescence and young adulthood (body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC) and waist-hip ratio (WHR)) in 1782 individuals from the HUNT study. Single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNPs) were evaluated individually and by haplotype sliding-window approach for windows50 kb (near-MC4R, FTO and near-BDNF). The analyses were performed on the total and sex stratified samples. RESULTS The most substantial effect on BMI was observed for the near-MC4R variants at adolescence and adulthood (adjusted P-values in adolescence: 0.002 and 0.003 for rs17782313 and rs571312, respectively). The same variants showed inverse association with PI in males (adjusted P-values: 0.019-0.036). Furthermore, significant effects were observed at adolescence with BMI for the near-KCTD15 variant (rs11084753) (adjusted P=0.038) in the combined sample. The near-INSIG2 (rs7566605) was significantly associated to WHR in males and near-BDNF (rs925946) in the combined sample (adjusted P=0.027 and P=0.033, respectively). The OPRD1 locus was associated to BMI and WC in males both at adolescence and adulthood with highest effect in adults (adjusted P=0.058). Interaction with sex was identified for near-MC4R, OPRD1, COMT, near-BDNF and DRD2. CONCLUSIONS Most obesity susceptibility variants show stronger effect at adolescence than at birth and adulthood with a clear sex-specific effect at some loci. The near-MC4R locus exhibit inverse effect on weight at birth in boys compared with findings at adolescence and adulthood. Some variants less known for obesity-susceptibility such as OPRD1 were found to be associated to weight with strongest effects in males.
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