A genetic association analysis of cognitive ability and cognitive ageing using 325 markers for 109 genes associated with oxidative stress or cognition.
BACKGROUND
Non-pathological cognitive ageing is a distressing condition affecting an increasing number of people in our 'ageing society'. Oxidative stress is hypothesised to have a major role in cellular ageing, including brain ageing.


RESULTS
Associations between cognitive ageing and 325 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), located in 109 genes implicated in oxidative stress and/or cognition, were examined in a unique cohort of relatively healthy older people, on whom we have cognitive ability scores at ages 11 and 79 years (LBC1921). SNPs showing a significant positive association were then genotyped in a second cohort for whom we have cognitive ability scores at the ages of 11 and 64 years (ABC1936). An intronic SNP in the APP gene (rs2830102) was significantly associated with cognitive ageing in both LBC1921 and a combined LBC1921/ABC1936 analysis (p < 0.01), but not in ABC1936 alone.


CONCLUSIONS
This study suggests a possible role for APP in normal cognitive ageing, in addition to its role in Alzheimer's disease.
Harris
Sarah E
SE
Department of Psychology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK. Sarah.Harris@hgu.mrc.ac.uk <Sarah.Harris@hgu.mrc.ac.uk>
Fox
Helen
H
Wright
Alan F
AF
Hayward
Caroline
C
Starr
John M
JM
Whalley
Lawrence J
LJ
Deary
Ian J
IJ
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging / Q000235:genetics*; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000235:genetics; D016564:Amyloid beta-Protein Precursor / Q000235:genetics*; D002648:Child; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D005819:Genetic Markers; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000235:genetics*; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide
D016564:Amyloid beta-Protein Precursor; D005819:Genetic Markers