title: Genetic variation in homocysteine metabolism, cognition, and white matter lesions.
abstract: Several studies have shown an association between homocysteine concentration and cognitive performance or cerebral white matter lesions. However, variations in genes encoding for enzymes and other proteins that play a role in homocysteine metabolism have hardly been evaluated in relation to these outcome measures. In the population-based Rotterdam Scan Study, we examined the association of seven polymorphisms of genes involved in homocysteine metabolism (MTHFR 677C>T, MTHFR 1298A>C, RFC 80G>A, TC 776C>G, MTR 2756A>G, MTRR 66A>G, and CBS 844ins68) with plasma total homocysteine, cognitive performance, and cerebral white matter lesions among 1011 non-demented elderly participants. Of all the studied polymorphisms, only MTHFR 677C>T was associated with homocysteine concentration. No significant relationship was observed for any of the polymorphisms with cognitive performance or severity of cerebral white matter lesions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands. l.delau@erasmusmc.nl
authors.forename: Lonneke M L
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: de Lau
authors.forename: Joyce B J
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: van Meurs
authors.forename: André G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Uitterlinden
authors.forename: A David
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Helga
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Refsum
authors.forename: Carole
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Johnston
authors.forename: Monique M B
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Breteler
mesh_terms: D013766:5-Methyltetrahydrofolate-Homocysteine S-Methyltransferase / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D001921:Brain / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000473:pathology; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003541:Cystathionine beta-Synthase / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D005287:Ferredoxin-NADP Reductase / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D006710:Homocysteine / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D042965:Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (NADPH2) / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D008875:Middle Aged; D009413:Nerve Fibers, Myelinated / Q000201:enzymology / Q000473:pathology*; D058978:Reduced Folate Carrier Protein / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D014155:Transcobalamins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D058978:Reduced Folate Carrier Protein; D014155:Transcobalamins; D006710:Homocysteine; C111241:methionine synthase reductase; D005287:Ferredoxin-NADP Reductase; D042965:Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (NADPH2); D013766:5-Methyltetrahydrofolate-Homocysteine S-Methyltransferase; D003541:Cystathionine beta-Synthase