title: CAMTA1 T polymorphism is associated with neuropsychological test performance in older adults with cardiovascular disease.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Cardiovascular disease has long been associated with poor neurocognitive outcome, with multiple pathophysiological mechanisms that are linked to cognitive impairment in older adults. Although less frequently examined, insulin dysregulation is known to affect vascular function and the associated brain dysfunction in cardiovascular disease. Accordingly, genetic factors tied to insulin regulation may make certain people with cardiovascular disease more susceptible to cognitive dysfunction. Specifically, the calmodulin-binding transcription activator 1 (CAMTA1) genotype, which has been examined as a risk factor for Type 2 diabetes and has been linked to reduced episodic memory performance in healthy young adults, is a potential candidate gene.
  
  
  METHODS
  Blood samples were obtained from 113 older adults with cardiovascular disease who also underwent neuropsychological testing. Carriers of either one or two copies of the T allele of CAMTA1 were categorized into one group (n = 63), whereas non-carriers were categorized into a second group (n = 50).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Analyses showed that carriers of the T allele performed more poorly on tests of attention, executive function, and psychomotor speed, but not on tests of memory. Carriers of the T allele also performed more poorly on a measure of global cognitive function.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Results indicate that CAMTA1 genotype is associated with cognitive function in older adults with cardiovascular disease, because carriers of the T allele performed more poorly on tests of attention, executive function, and psychomotor speed. Contrary to expectations, there were no differences in memory performance among carriers and non-carriers of the T allele. Given these mixed findings, further studies are necessary to elucidate the association between CAMTA1 and cognition, particularly gene expression and neuroimaging studies.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Kent State University, Kent Institute for Clinical and Translational Research, Summa Health System, Akron, Ohio 44242, USA.
authors.forename: Lindsay A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Miller
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gunstad
authors.forename: Mary Beth
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Spitznagel
authors.forename: Jeanne
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: McCaffery
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: McGeary
authors.forename: Athena
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Poppas
authors.forename: Robert H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Paul
authors.forename: Lawrence H
authors.initials: LH
authors.lastname: Sweet
authors.forename: Ronald A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Cohen
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000483:Alleles; D002135:Calcium-Binding Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics*; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics*; D015140:Dementia, Vascular / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics*; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics; D015870:Gene Expression / Q000235:genetics; D056726:Genetic Association Studies; D006580:Genetic Carrier Screening; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease / Q000235:genetics; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008569:Memory Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic / Q000235:genetics*; D012016:Reference Values; D012307:Risk Factors; D015534:Trans-Activators / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: C487554:CAMTA1 protein, human; D002135:Calcium-Binding Proteins; D015534:Trans-Activators