Predicting cognitive ability in ageing cohorts using Type 2 diabetes genetic risk. Issue 6 (30th January 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Luciano, M.; Mõttus, R.; Harris, S. E.; Davies, G.; Payton, A.; Ollier, W. E. R.; Horan, M. A.; Starr, J. M.; Porteous, D. J.; Pendleton, N.; Deary, I. J.
• Is Part Of: Diabetic medicine. Volume 31:Issue 6(2014:Jun.)
• Page Start: 714
• Page End: 720
• Publication Date: 2014-01-30
• Subjects: Diabetes -- Periodicals; 616.462
• DOI: 10.1111/dme.12389
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0742-3071

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" id="dme12389-abs-0001"> <title>Abstract</title> <sec id="dme12389-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>Aims</title> <p>To investigate whether there is overlap in the genetic determinants of Type 2 diabetes and cognitive ageing by testing whether a genetic risk score for Type 2 diabetes can predict variation in cognitive function in older people without dementia.</p> </sec> <sec id="dme12389-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>Methods</title> <p>Type 2 diabetes genetic risk scores were estimated using various single nucleotide polymorphism significance inclusion criteria from an initial genome‐wide association study, the largest in Type 2 diabetes to date. Scores were available for 2775–3057 individuals, depending on the cognitive trait.</p> </sec> <sec id="dme12389-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>Results</title> <p>Type 2 diabetes genetic risk was associated with self‐reported diabetes mellitus. Across varying single nucleotide polymorphism‐inclusion levels, a significant association between Type 2 diabetes genetic risk and change in general cognitive function was found (median <italic>r </italic>=<italic> </italic>0.04); however, this was such that higher Type 2 diabetes genetic risk related to higher cognitive scores.</p> </sec> <sec id="dme12389-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusions</title> <p>To investigate more fully the source of the often observed comorbidity between Type 2 diabetes and cognitive impairment, one direction for future research will be to use cognitive ability polygenic risk scores to predict Type 2 diabetes in line with the reverse causation hypothesis that people with lower pre‐morbid cognitive ability are more likely to develop Type 2 diabetes.</p> </sec> </abstract>