Genetic Contributions to Age-Related Decline in Executive Function: A 10-Year Longitudinal Study of COMT and BDNF Polymorphisms

Kirk I Erickson; Jennifer S Kim; Barbara L Suever; Michelle W Voss; B. Magnus Francis; Arthur F Kramer

doi:10.3389/neuro.09.011.2008

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Genetic Contributions to Age-Related Decline in Executive Function: A 10-Year Longitudinal Study of COMT and BDNF Polymorphisms

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Genetic Contributions to Age-Related Decline in Executive Function: A 10-Year Longitudinal Study of COMT and BDNF Polymorphisms

Kirk I Erickson, Jennifer S Kim, Barbara L Suever, Michelle W Voss, B. Magnus Francis and Arthur F Kramer

Frontiers in human neuroscience, Vol.2, pp.11-11

09/23/2008

DOI: 10.3389/neuro.09.011.2008

PMID: 18958211

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Abstract

Genetic variability in the dopaminergic and neurotrophic systems could contribute to age-related impairments in executive control and memory function. In this study we examined whether genetic polymorphisms for catechol- O -methyltransferase (COMT) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) were related to the trajectory of cognitive decline occurring over a 10-year period in older adults. A single nucleotide polymorphism in the COMT (Val158/108Met) gene affects the concentration of dopamine in the prefrontal cortex. In addition, a Val/Met substitution in the pro-domain for BDNF (Val66Met) affects the regulated secretion and trafficking of BDNF with Met carriers showing reduced secretion and poorer cognitive function. We found that impairments over the 10-year span on a task-switching paradigm did not vary as a function of the COMT polymorphism. However, for the BDNF polymorphism the Met carriers performed worse than Val homozygotes at the first testing session but only the Val homozygotes demonstrated a significant reduction in performance over the 10-year span. Our results argue that the COMT polymorphism does not affect the trajectory of age-related executive control decline, whereas the Val/Val polymorphism for BDNF may promote faster rates of cognitive decay in old age. These results are discussed in relation to the role of BDNF in senescence and the transforming impact of the Met allele on cognitive function in old age.

Neuroscience

cognition

BDNF

task-switching

executive control

aging

COMT

longitudinal

Details

Title: Subtitle: Genetic Contributions to Age-Related Decline in Executive Function: A 10-Year Longitudinal Study of COMT and BDNF Polymorphisms
Creators: Kirk I Erickson - Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Jennifer S Kim - Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Barbara L Suever - School of Integrative Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Michelle W Voss - Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
B. Magnus Francis - Entomology Department, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Arthur F Kramer - Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: Frontiers in human neuroscience, Vol.2, pp.11-11
DOI: 10.3389/neuro.09.011.2008
PMID: 18958211
NLM abbreviation: Front Hum Neurosci
ISSN: 1662-5161
eISSN: 1662-5161
Publisher: Frontiers Research Foundation
Language: English
Date published: 09/23/2008
Academic Unit: Psychological and Brain Sciences; Iowa Neuroscience Institute
Record Identifier: 9984002339702771

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