Association between polymorphisms of the dopamine receptor D2 and catechol-o-methyl transferase genes and cognitive function.
The dopaminergic neurotransmitter system of the brain is involved in working memory and other cognitive functions. Studies suggest an important role for dopamine synthesis and uptake in modulation of human cognitive processes. We studied the association between polymorphisms in the catechol-o-methyl transferase (COMT) and dopamine receptor D2 (DRD2) genes and general cognitive ability in a secondary analysis of 2091 men and women, aged 55-80 years living in Scotland. General cognitive ability 'g' was derived from five cognitive tests of different domains. COMT was not associated with cognitive ability in this population. The DRD2 C:C genotype of rs6277 was associated with decreased general cognitive ability 'g' (p = 0.003), and DRD2 rs1800497 heterozygotes had lowest mean general cognitive ability 'g' (p = 0.007). There was an indication of a potential interaction between the DRD2 SNPs.
Bolton
Jennifer L
JL
Public Health Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Medical School, Edinburgh EH9 1NN, UK. J.L.Bolton@sms.ed.ac.uk
Marioni
Riccardo E
RE
Deary
Ian J
IJ
Harris
Sarah E
SE
Stewart
Marlene C
MC
Murray
Gordon D
GD
Fowkes
F Gerry R
FG
Price
Jackie F
JF
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002394:Catechol O-Methyltransferase / Q000235:genetics*; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology*; D004298:Dopamine / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; D017448:Receptors, Dopamine D2 / Q000235:genetics*; D012606:Scotland
D017448:Receptors, Dopamine D2; D002394:Catechol O-Methyltransferase; D004298:Dopamine