title: Dopamine DRD2 Taq I polymorphism associates with caudate nucleus volume and cognitive performance in memory impaired subjects.
abstract: We studied the relationship among dopamine receptor D2 (DRD2) Taq I genetic polymorphism, caudate nucleus volumetry as measured using MRI and neuropsychological functions in 49 memory impaired older people. Compared with DRD2 A1 carriers, subjects homozygous for the DRD2 A2 allele performed poorer in a measure of general cognitive functioning (MMSE) and in long term verbal memory, and presented reduced left caudate nucleus volumes. Caudate nucleus atrophy correlated with cognitive measures influenced by the genetic polymorphism and with visual memory performance. Our findings suggest that among the aged with cognitive impairments, the homozygous status for the A2 allele of the DRD2 Taq I polymorphism is associated with diminished cognitive performance and increased atrophy in the striatum.
authors.affiliation: Departament de Psiquiatria i Psicobiologia Clinica, IDIBAPS, Spain.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bartrés-Faz
authors.forename: Carme
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Junqué
authors.forename: Josep M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Serra-Grabulosa
authors.forename: Antoni
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: López-Alomar
authors.forename: Antoni
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Moya
authors.forename: Núria
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Bargalló
authors.forename: Josep M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Mercader
authors.forename: Pedro
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Moral
authors.forename: Imma C
authors.initials: IC
authors.lastname: Clemente
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D002421:Caudate Nucleus / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology / Q000523:psychology; D004298:Dopamine / Q000378:metabolism*; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D007839:Functional Laterality / Q000235:genetics; D005787:Gene Frequency; D006801:Humans; D007360:Intelligence; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008569:Memory Disorders / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology / Q000523:psychology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009474:Neurons / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic / Q000235:genetics*; D017448:Receptors, Dopamine D2 / Q000172:deficiency / Q000235:genetics*; D012737:Sex Factors; D019914:Taq Polymerase / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D017448:Receptors, Dopamine D2; D019914:Taq Polymerase; D004298:Dopamine