Whole genome association scan for genetic polymorphisms influencing information processing speed.
Processing speed is an important cognitive function that is compromised in psychiatric illness (e.g., schizophrenia, depression) and old age; it shares genetic background with complex cognition (e.g., working memory, reasoning). To find genes influencing speed we performed a genome-wide association scan in up to three cohorts: Brisbane (mean age 16 years; N = 1659); LBC1936 (mean age 70 years, N = 992); LBC1921 (mean age 82 years, N = 307), and; HBCS (mean age 64 years, N =1080). Meta-analysis of the common measures highlighted various suggestively significant (p < 1.21 × 10⁻⁵) SNPs and plausible candidate genes (e.g., TRIB3). A biological pathways analysis of the speed factor identified two common pathways from the KEGG database (cell junction, focal adhesion) in two cohorts, while a pathway analysis linked to the GO database revealed common pathways across pairs of speed measures (e.g., receptor binding, cellular metabolic process). These highlighted genes and pathways will be able to inform future research, including results for psychiatric disease.
Centre for Cognitive Aging and Cognitive Epidemiology, Department of Psychology, University of Edinburgh, Scotland, UK. michelle.luciano@ed.ac.uk
Michelle
M
Luciano
Narelle K
NK
Hansell
Jari
J
Lahti
Gail
G
Davies
Sarah E
SE
Medland
Katri
K
Räikkönen
Albert
A
Tenesa
Elisabeth
E
Widen
Kevin A
KA
McGhee
Aarno
A
Palotie
David
D
Liewald
David J
DJ
Porteous
John M
JM
Starr
Grant W
GW
Montgomery
Nicholas G
NG
Martin
Johan G
JG
Eriksson
Margaret J
MJ
Wright
Ian J
IJ
Deary
D048868:Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing / Q000235:genetics; D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015331:Cohort Studies; D030541:Databases, Genetic / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D055106:Genome-Wide Association Study / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007391:International Cooperation; D007633:Keratins / Q000235:genetics; D008297:Male; D008606:Mental Processes / Q000502:physiology*; D015201:Meta-Analysis as Topic; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D012737:Sex Factors
D048868:Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing; D007633:Keratins