Triallelic relationships between the serotonin transporter polymorphism and cognition among healthy older adults. (1st May 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Salminen, Lauren E.; Schofield, Peter R.; Pierce, Kerrie D.; Lane, Elizabeth M.; Heaps, Jodi M.; Bolzenius, Jacob D.; Baker, Laurie M.; Luo, Xi; Paul, Robert H.
• Is Part Of: International journal of neuroscience. Volume 124:Number 5(2014:May)
• Page Start: 331
• Page End: 338
• Publication Date: 2014-05-01
• Subjects: Nervous system -- Periodicals; 612.805
• DOI: 10.3109/00207454.2013.845822
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0020-7454

Abstract

<abstract> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <p>The biallelic serotonin transporter polymorphism (5-hydroxytryptamine transporter linked polymorphic region (5-HTTLPR)) is a common genetic sequence associated with serotonin transporter (5-hydroxytryptamine transporter (5-HTT)) expression, which is further modulated by a triallelic single-nucleotide polymorphism (rs25531). Recent studies using the biallelic 5-HTTLPR have identified a beneficial role of low 5-HTT expression on cognitive performance, although no studies have examined the impact of the triallelic 5-HTTLPR/rs25531 marker on cognitive performance among healthy older adults. In the present study, we addressed this issue in 84 healthy older adults genotyped for biallelic and triallelic variants of 5-HTT. Groups were created based on low, medium and high levels of expression, as indicated by the triallelic marker. Results indicated that individuals with low 5-HTT expression performed significantly better on a test of memory compared with individuals with medium 5-HTT expression. This suggests that possession of low-expressing genetic variants of 5-HTT is modestly associated with enhanced cognitive performance among healthy older adults.</p> </abstract>