Association of CHRNA4 polymorphism with depression and loneliness in elderly males.
The cholinergic receptor, nicotinic, alpha 4 (CHRNA4) gene encodes the neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptor alpha-4 subunit. Recent research has shown that a variation in CHRNA4 (rs1044396) affects attention and negative emotionality in normal adults. To determine the link between CHRNA4 variation and cognitive function/depressed mood, this study conducted a genotype-phenotype correlation analysis between the common CHRNA4:rs1044396 variant and several baseline parameters of cognition and depressed mood in 192 elderly male subjects without major psychiatric disorders or dementia. Study findings identified a significant link between the CHRNA4:rs1044396 polymorphism and depression and loneliness in the aged. Compared to carriers of at least one T-allele, carriers of the homozygous C/C genotype described themselves as more depressed and lonely. This is the first evidence which may implicate CHRNA4 in depressed emotions in the elderly.
Department of Psychiatry, Taipei Veterans General Hospital School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan.
S-J
SJ
Tsai
H-L
HL
Yeh
C-J
CJ
Hong
Y-J
YJ
Liou
A C
AC
Yang
M-E
ME
Liu
J-P
JP
Hwang
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000483:Alleles; D003863:Depression / Q000235:genetics*; D056726:Genetic Association Studies; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D008132:Loneliness; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; D011978:Receptors, Nicotinic / Q000235:genetics*
D011978:Receptors, Nicotinic