Alzheimer's and intelligence quotient
Alzheimer's disease gene linked to IQ scores in childhood
Anna Kerman, XX2 century, based on the materials of MedicalNewsToday: Alzheimer's gene plays a role in childhood IQ
Scientists have found that a certain variation of a complex of genes involved, among other things, in the development of Alzheimer's disease correlates with the IQ of children.
Mutations of the amyloid precursor protein gene are known to be involved in the development of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Now, new research points to a correlation between this gene and intellectual performance in children, raising questions about the role of this protein in cognitive abilities.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Alzheimer's disease is now the cause of about 70% of dementia cases worldwide. The National Institute on Aging in the USA today recognizes several causes of Alzheimer's disease, among them there are genetic factors. One of the genetic features of AD is a mutation of the gene encoding the amyloid precursor protein (APP). The latter is responsible for the synthesis of amyloid beta-peptides, which subsequently form plaques characteristic of Alzheimer's disease in the brain. Their characteristics and importance for cognitive functions are still being studied.
A new study conducted by Dr. Tatiana Zayats and her colleagues from the K.G. Jebsen Center for Neuropsychiatric Disorders at the University of Bergen in Norway reveals further links between APP and the development of cognitive functions in children.
The results of the work are published in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease (Implication of the APP Gene in Intellectual Abilities).
APP, children's IQ and Alzheimer's disease
The researchers analyzed data collected during two studies, the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children and the International Genomics of Alzheimer's Project.
First, scientists examined IQ scores and genetic markers of 5,165 children. After that, the authors of the study studied the DNA sequence variations of 17,008 adults with Alzheimer's disease, comparing them with data from 37,154 healthy adults. The scientists also examined the genetic data of 112,151 adults tested for cognitive functions.
In particular, Dr. Zayats and her colleagues studied the activity regulated by a protein associated with cytoskeleton elements (cytoskeleton-associated protein, ARC). This activity is associated with neuroplasticity, the ability of the nervous system to change and adapt.
Scientists found that a certain variation of the ARC gene complex correlated with the IQ of children: in the presence of "risk genes", IQ was on average slightly lower than if there were no such genes. In addition, it is important that this complex includes a gene related to BA, which encodes APP.
Intelligence, Dr. Zayats and her colleagues explain, "encompasses a wide range of cognitive abilities that are often described as 'crystallized' and 'mobile' types of intelligence."
"Crystallized" intelligence refers to accumulated knowledge and skills, and "mobile" is associated with problem solving and the ability to identify patterns.
The researchers found that a variation of the gene encoding APP was associated with "mobile" intelligence in children. The same variant was associated with the diagnosis of Alzheimer's in the adult cohort.
"This study is important for our understanding of the normal function of these synaptic proteins, as well as their role in the development of the disease," Dr. Zayats emphasizes.
In a sense, the study confirms the results of previous work. For example, the link between intelligence and dementia has already been shown, and overproduction of beta-amyloids has been reported in patients with Alzheimer's disease and Down syndrome.
Scientists suggest that their study should be accompanied by additional studies aimed at investigating further correlations between gene variations and cognitive functions in both children and adults.
"More research will be needed to determine exactly how different APP variants can affect cognitive function throughout life. Such work may have important implications for our understanding of the etiology and, ultimately, the treatment of disorders associated with cognitive dysfunction, such as Alzheimer's disease," the authors of the new study write.
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01.09.2017