The TNF-alpha-238G > a single-nucleotide polymorphism protects against memory decline in older adults with type 2 diabetes.
Inflammatory markers predict memory dysfunction in elderly patients, but their contribution to memory deficits in adults with Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is less well understood. The present study determined whether specific single-nucleotide polymorphisms in the promoter region of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) predict verbal memory in older patients with T2DM. Immediate and delayed verbal memory were assessed using word list and paragraph recall tests in a cohort of subjects with T2DM during 2 sessions, separated by 48 weeks. The presence of the TNF-alpha-238A allele, which has been shown to decrease gene expression, consistently predicted better baseline performance and protected against memory decline over a period of 48 weeks. Therefore, inflammatory mediators may be important modulators of memory function in individuals with T2DM.
Chui
Michael H
MH
Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
Papanikolaou
Yanni
Y
Fontaine-Bisson
Bénédicte
B
Turcotte
Josée
J
Wolever
Thomas M S
TM
El-Sohemy
Ahmed
A
Chiasson
Jean-Louis
JL
Rabasa-Lhoret
Remi
R
Maheux
Pierre
P
Ryan
Edmond
E
Greenwood
Carol E
CE
D000328:Adult; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000150:complications*; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008569:Memory Disorders / Q000209:etiology* / Q000235:genetics*; D011939:Mental Recall / Q000502:physiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic / Q000502:physiology; D013997:Time Factors; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000235:genetics*; D014706:Verbal Learning / Q000502:physiology
D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha