BDNF Val66Met Polymorphism on Functional MRI During n-Back Working Memory Tasks.
Val66Met polymorphism on the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) gene is associated with hippocampal pathology and impaired episodic memory. However, the influence of this polymorphism on working memory (WM) performance and patterns of brain activation is controversial. This study investigated the effects of BDNF Val66Met polymorphism on functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) during n-back WM tasks in healthy middle-aged adults.A total of 110 participants without subjective or objective cognitive impairment underwent BDNF genotyping. Eleven Met allele carriers and 9 noncarriers underwent fMRI during WM tasks.The WM performance was similar between the 2 groups. Increased brain activation in response to increases in WM loads was observed in both groups. The Met allele carrier group showed consistently lower brain activation in the right superior frontal gyrus (SFG) and the middle occipital gyrus than that of the noncarrier group (P < 0.001). No brain region showed increased activation during WM tasks in the Met allele group.BDNF Val66Met polymorphism may affect the WM network. Met allele carriers have lower brain activation in the right SFG and middle occipital gyrus than do noncarriers during WM tasks. Defective development of the WM network during brain maturation or differentiation is a possible mechanism. Additional studies with a larger sample and longer follow-up period are warranted.
From the Graduate Institute of Biomedical Informatics, Taipei Medical University, Taipei (CCC, HWC); Department of Neurology (CCC, DW, NFC, PCC, CJH); Department of Radiology, Taipei Medical University-Shuang Ho Hospital, New Taipei City, Taiwan (CJC, YPL); Human Brain Research Center, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan (YPL); Department of Neurology, Medical School, Taipei Medical University, Taipei (CJH); and Brain and Consciousness Research Center, Shuang Ho Hospital, New Taipei City, Taiwan (CJH).
Chih-Chung
CC
Chen
Chi-Jen
CJ
Chen
Dean
D
Wu
Nai-Fang
NF
Chi
Po-Chih
PC
Chen
Yen-Peng
YP
Liao
Hung-Wen
HW
Chiu
Chaur-Jong
CJ
Hu
D001921:Brain / Q000502:physiology*; D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008570:Memory, Short-Term; D008875:Middle Aged; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic
D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor; C579455:BDNF protein, human