title: A novel association between COMT and BDNF gene polymorphisms and likelihood of symptomatic dysphagia in older people.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Catechol-O-methyl transferase (COMT) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) are neuro-modulatory proteins that have been demonstrated to affect cortical plasticity, which in turn has been shown to affect age-related changes and neuronal functioning in humans. Here, we tested the hypothesis that single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) within COMT and BDNF genes are associated with dysphagia in older adults.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 800 community-dwelling older individuals were sent the Sydney Oropharyngeal Dysphagia Questionnaire to identify swallowing difficulties. DNA from this population was available for study and used to genotype 18 COMT and 12 BDNF polymorphisms. Logistic regression statistical models were used to identify potential associations between dysphagia and the genotypes.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 638 individuals completed the questionnaire, giving an 80% response rate. Of these, 538 were genotyped for COMT and BDNF polymorphisms. Age was found to predict dysphagia (p = 0.018, OR = 1.08, CI = 1.01-1.14). The COMT polymorphism rs165599 and the BDNF polymorphism rs10835211 were found to predict dysphagia and have an interactive effect (p = 0.028), which varied according to the carrier status of the other. In the case of SNP rs10835211, the effect of heterozygosity was protective or harmful dependent on the respective status of rs165599.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results suggest that certain interactions between plasticity genes contribute to the development of dysphagia with increasing age. This highlights a possible role for genetic factors in future monitoring and treating individuals affected by dysphagia.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Gastrointestinal Sciences, Institute of Inflammation and Repair, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.|Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust, Salford, UK.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Nimmons
authors.affiliation: Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust, Salford, UK.|Centre for Clinical and Cognitive Neuroscience, Institute of Brain, Behaviour and Mental Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Pendleton
authors.affiliation: Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust, Salford, UK.|Centre for Integrated Genomic Medical Research, UK.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Payton
authors.affiliation: Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust, Salford, UK.|Centre for Integrated Genomic Medical Research, UK.
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Ollier
authors.affiliation: Manchester Medical School, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Horan
authors.affiliation: Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust, Salford, UK.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wilkinson
authors.affiliation: Centre for Gastrointestinal Sciences, Institute of Inflammation and Repair, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.|Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust, Salford, UK.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hamdy
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor / Q000235:genetics; D002394:Catechol O-Methyltransferase / Q000235:genetics; D003680:Deglutition Disorders / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; D012737:Sex Factors
chemical_list: D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor; C579455:BDNF protein, human; C588010:COMT protein, human; D002394:Catechol O-Methyltransferase
keywords: BDNF; COMT; Dysphagia; association; questionnaire