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Henningsson S, Zettergren A, Hovey D, Jonsson L, Svärd J, Cortes DS, Melke J, Ebner NC, Laukka P, Fischer H, Westberg L. Association between polymorphisms in NOS3 and KCNH2 and social memory. Front Neurosci 2015; 9:393. [PMID: 26539080 PMCID: PMC4612671 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2015.00393] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2015] [Accepted: 10/06/2015] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Social memory, including the ability to recognize faces and voices, is essential for social relationships. It has a large heritable component, but the knowledge about the contributing genes is sparse. The genetic variation underlying inter-individual differences in social memory was investigated in an exploratory sample (n = 55), genotyped with a chip comprising approximately 200,000 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), and in a validation sample (n = 582), where 30 SNPs were targeted. In the exploratory study face identity recognition was measured. The validation study also measured vocal sound recognition, as well as recognition of faces and vocal sounds combined (multimodal condition). In the exploratory study, the 30 SNPs that were associated with face recognition at puncorrected < 0.001 and located in genes, were chosen for further study. In the validation study two of these SNPs showed significant associations with recognition of faces, vocal sounds, and multimodal stimuli: rs1800779 in the gene encoding nitric oxide synthase 3 (NOS3) and rs3807370 in the gene encoding the voltage-gated channel, subfamily H, member 2 (KCNH2), in strong linkage disequilibrium with each other. The uncommon alleles were associated with superior performance, and the effects were present for men only (p < 0.0002). The exploratory study also showed a weaker but significant association with (non-emotional) word recognition, an effect that was independent of the effect on face recognition. This study demonstrates evidence for an association between NOS3 and KCNH2 SNPs and social memory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susanne Henningsson
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology at the Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Anna Zettergren
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology at the Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg Gothenburg, Sweden ; Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology at the Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Daniel Hovey
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology at the Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Lina Jonsson
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology at the Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Joakim Svärd
- Aging Research Center, Karolinska Institute Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Diana S Cortes
- Department of Psychology, Stockholm University Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Jonas Melke
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology at the Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Natalie C Ebner
- Department of Psychology, University of Florida Gainesville, FL, USA ; Department of Aging and Geriatric Research, University of Florida Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Petri Laukka
- Department of Psychology, Stockholm University Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Håkan Fischer
- Aging Research Center, Karolinska Institute Stockholm, Sweden ; Department of Psychology, Stockholm University Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Lars Westberg
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology at the Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg Gothenburg, Sweden
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Dato S, Soerensen M, Lagani V, Montesanto A, Passarino G, Christensen K, Tan Q, Christiansen L. Contribution of genetic polymorphisms on functional status at very old age: a gene-based analysis of 38 genes (311 SNPs) in the oxidative stress pathway. Exp Gerontol 2014; 52:23-9. [PMID: 24462499 DOI: 10.1016/j.exger.2014.01.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2013] [Revised: 01/03/2014] [Accepted: 01/11/2014] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Preservation of functional ability is a well-recognized marker of longevity. At a molecular level, a major determinant of the physiological decline occurring with aging is the imbalance between production and accumulation of oxidative damage to macromolecules, together with a decreased efficiency of stress response to avoid or repair such damage. In this paper we investigated the association of 38 genes (311 SNPs) belonging to the pro-antioxidant pathways with physical and cognitive performances, by analyzing single SNP and gene-based associations with Hand Grip strength (HG), Activities of Daily Living (ADL), Walking Speed (WS), Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) and Composite Cognitive Score (CCS) in a Cohort of 1089 Danish nonagenarians. Moreover, for each gene analyzed in the pro-antioxidant pathway, we tested the influence on longitudinal survival. In the whole sample, nominal associations were found for TXNRD1 variability with ADL and WS, NDUFS1 and UCP3 with HG and WS, GCLC and UCP2 with WS (p<0.05). Stronger associations although not holding the multiple comparison correction, were observed between MMSE and NDUFV1, MT1A and GSTP1 variability (p<0.009). Moreover, we found that association between genetic variability in the pro-antioxidant pathway and functional status at old age is influenced by sex. In particular, most significant associations were observed in nonagenarian females, between HG scores and GLRX and UCP3 variability, between ADL levels and TXNRD1, MMSE and MT1A genetic variability. In males, a borderline statistically significant association with ADL level was found for UQCRFS1 gene. Nominally significant associations in relation to survival were found in the female sample only with SOD2, NDUFS1, UCP3 and TXNRD1 variability, the latter two confirming previous observations reported in the same cohort. Overall, our work supports the evidence that genes belonging to the pro-anti-oxidant pathway are able to modulate physical and cognitive performance after the ninth decade of life, finally influencing extreme survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Dato
- Department of Biology, Ecology and Heart Sciences, University of Calabria, Ponte Pietro Bucci cubo 4C, 87036 Rende, CS, Italy; The Danish Aging Research Center, Epidemiology, Institute of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, J.B. Winslows Vej 9B, 5000 Odense C, Denmark.
| | - M Soerensen
- The Danish Aging Research Center, Epidemiology, Institute of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, J.B. Winslows Vej 9B, 5000 Odense C, Denmark; Department of Clinical Genetics, Odense University Hospital, Sdr. Boulevard 29, 5000 Odense C, Denmark.
| | - V Lagani
- Bio Informatics Laboratory, Institute of Computer Science, Foundation for Research and Technology (Hellas), Heraklion, Greece.
| | - A Montesanto
- Department of Biology, Ecology and Heart Sciences, University of Calabria, Ponte Pietro Bucci cubo 4C, 87036 Rende, CS, Italy.
| | - G Passarino
- Department of Biology, Ecology and Heart Sciences, University of Calabria, Ponte Pietro Bucci cubo 4C, 87036 Rende, CS, Italy.
| | - K Christensen
- The Danish Aging Research Center, Epidemiology, Institute of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, J.B. Winslows Vej 9B, 5000 Odense C, Denmark; Department of Clinical Genetics, Odense University Hospital, Sdr. Boulevard 29, 5000 Odense C, Denmark; Department of Clinical Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Odense University Hospital, Sdr. Boulevard 29, 5000 Odense C, Denmark.
| | - Q Tan
- The Danish Aging Research Center, Epidemiology, Institute of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, J.B. Winslows Vej 9B, 5000 Odense C, Denmark; Department of Clinical Genetics, Odense University Hospital, Sdr. Boulevard 29, 5000 Odense C, Denmark.
| | - L Christiansen
- The Danish Aging Research Center, Epidemiology, Institute of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, J.B. Winslows Vej 9B, 5000 Odense C, Denmark; Department of Clinical Genetics, Odense University Hospital, Sdr. Boulevard 29, 5000 Odense C, Denmark.
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Reitz C, Mayeux R. Use of genetic variation as biomarkers for mild cognitive impairment and progression of mild cognitive impairment to dementia. J Alzheimers Dis 2010; 19:229-51. [PMID: 20061642 PMCID: PMC2908485 DOI: 10.3233/jad-2010-1255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Cognitive impairment is prevalent in the elderly. The high estimates of conversion to dementia have spurred the interest in identification of genetic risk factors associated with development of cognitive impairment and or its progression. However, despite notable achievements in human genetics over the years, in particular technological advances in gene mapping and in statistical methods that relate genetic variants to disease, to date only a small proportion of the genetic contribution to late-life cognitive impairment can be explained. A likely explanation for the difficulty in gene identification is that it is a multifactorial disorder with both genetic and environmental components, in which several genes with small effects each are likely to contribute to the quantitative traits associated with the disease. The motivation for identifying the underlying genetic risk factors elderly is clear. Not only could it shed light on disease pathogenesis, but it may also provide potential targets for effective treatment, screening, and prevention. In this article we review the current knowledge on underlying genetic variants and the usefulness of genetic variation as diagnostic tools and biomarkers. In addition, we discuss the potentials and difficulties researchers face in designing appropriate studies for gene discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christiane Reitz
- Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer’s Disease and the Aging Brain, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY
- Department of Neurology, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY
- Gertrude H. Sergievsky Center, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY
| | - Richard Mayeux
- Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer’s Disease and the Aging Brain, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY
- Department of Neurology, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY
- Gertrude H. Sergievsky Center, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY
- Department of Epidemiology, Joseph P. Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY
- Department of Psychiatry, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY
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A genetic association analysis of cognitive ability and cognitive ageing using 325 markers for 109 genes associated with oxidative stress or cognition. BMC Genet 2007; 8:43. [PMID: 17601350 PMCID: PMC1933580 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2156-8-43] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2007] [Accepted: 07/02/2007] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Non-pathological cognitive ageing is a distressing condition affecting an increasing number of people in our 'ageing society'. Oxidative stress is hypothesised to have a major role in cellular ageing, including brain ageing. Results Associations between cognitive ageing and 325 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), located in 109 genes implicated in oxidative stress and/or cognition, were examined in a unique cohort of relatively healthy older people, on whom we have cognitive ability scores at ages 11 and 79 years (LBC1921). SNPs showing a significant positive association were then genotyped in a second cohort for whom we have cognitive ability scores at the ages of 11 and 64 years (ABC1936). An intronic SNP in the APP gene (rs2830102) was significantly associated with cognitive ageing in both LBC1921 and a combined LBC1921/ABC1936 analysis (p < 0.01), but not in ABC1936 alone. Conclusion This study suggests a possible role for APP in normal cognitive ageing, in addition to its role in Alzheimer's disease.
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Lund PK, Hoyt EC, Bizon J, Smith DR, Haberman R, Helm K, Gallagher M. Transcriptional mechanisms of hippocampal aging. Exp Gerontol 2005; 39:1613-22. [PMID: 15582277 DOI: 10.1016/j.exger.2004.06.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2004] [Accepted: 06/01/2004] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Aging related cognitive decline is an increasing health problem but affects only a subset of elderly humans. This research uses outbred young (Y) and aged rats. Behavioral characterization distinguishes aged rats with impaired spatial learning (AI) and aged rats with unimpaired learning ability (AU), mimicking the varied susceptibility of the human population to age-associated learning impairment. Studies are testing a hypothesis that hippocampal transcriptional mechanisms and gene expression profiles linked to activator protein-1 (AP-1) and glucocorticoid receptor (GR), mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) or cyclic AMP response element binding protein (CREB) families of transcription factors distinguish successful or unsuccessful aging and cognition. Results from mRNA assays, in situ hybridization, electromobility shift assays and western immunoblot indicate changes in GR and CREB in AI rats. State of the art future approaches to define downstream transcription targets are described.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Kay Lund
- Department of Cell and Molecular Physiology, University of North Carolina, 6336 MBRB, 103 Mason Farm Road, CB# 7545, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7545, USA.
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