Preprint
Investigating neurotrophin genetics and hippocampal volume
bioRxiv
Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press
2022
Abstract
As individuals get older, the structural integrity of brain regions becomes progressively diminished. Neurotrophic function might aid in preventing such losses through increased synaptogenesis and neurogenesis, particularly in the hippocampus, a brain structure relevant for cognitive function. However, the carriage of certain genetic alleles for genes involved in neurotrophic function might restrain the effectiveness of neurotrophin signalling, hindering neuroprotection. Yet, research on the contribution of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within genes coding for neurotrophins and their receptors to hippocampal volumes is scarce, with the exception of rs6265 within the brain-derived neurotrophic factor gene. Therefore, the aim of this study was to identify SNPs within genes involved neurotrophic function that are associated with hippocampal volume in a sample of 23,776 cognitively normal older adults from the UK Biobank. We found that, in individuals older than 50, homozygote carriage of the major alleles rs4839435-A within nerve growth factor gene and rs56405676-T within the neurotrophic receptor tyrosine kinase 2 gene, were associated with increase hippocampal volumes, compared to carriage of 1 or 2 copies of the minor alleles. However, only rs56405676-T was significantly associated with greater hippocampal volumes in individuals older than 60. Hence this study might serve to identify populations at higher risk of hippocampal attrition and cognitive decline. Competing Interest Statement The authors have declared no competing interest.
Details
- Title
- Investigating neurotrophin genetics and hippocampal volume
- Authors/Creators
- Jaisalmer De FrutosMichael Vacher - Australian e-Health Research CentreTenielle Porter - Edith Cowan UniversityBelinda Brown - Murdoch UniversitySimon Laws - Edith Cowan University
- Publication Details
- bioRxiv
- Publisher
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press; Cold Spring Harbor
- Identifiers
- 991005592889107891
- Copyright
- The copyright holder for this preprint is the author/funder, who has granted bioRxiv a license to display the preprint in perpetuity. All rights reserved.
- Murdoch Affiliation
- Centre for Healthy Ageing; Research and Innovation Office
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Preprint
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