Genetic Factors in Cognitive Ageing
Author Information
Author(s): Sara E. Harris, Helen Fox, Alan F. Wright, Caroline Hayward, John M. Starr, Lawrence J. Whalley, Ian J. Deary
Primary Institution: University of Edinburgh
Hypothesis
Oxidative stress is hypothesized to have a major role in cellular ageing, including brain ageing.
Conclusion
This study suggests a possible role for APP in normal cognitive ageing, in addition to its role in Alzheimer's disease.
Supporting Evidence
- Nine SNPs were positively associated with cognitive performance at age 79.
- APP SNP rs2830102 was significantly associated with cognitive ageing.
- Genetic variation accounted for more than 50% of the variability in adult cognitive abilities.
Takeaway
The study looked at how certain genes might affect how our thinking skills change as we get older, finding a link with a specific gene related to brain health.
Methodology
The study involved genotyping 325 SNPs in two cohorts of older individuals and analyzing their cognitive abilities at different ages.
Limitations
The associations identified in the first cohort were not replicated in the second cohort, indicating potential limitations in the findings.
Participant Demographics
The study included 437 participants from the Lothian Birth Cohort of 1921, with a mean age of 79.1 years, and 485 participants from the Aberdeen Birth Cohort of 1936, with a mean age of 64.6 years.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.01
Statistical Significance
p<0.01
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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