Association of interleukin-1 beta genetic polymorphisms with cognitive performance in elderly females without dementia

作者：Sasayama Daimei^*; Hori Hiroaki; Teraishi Toshiya; Hattori Kotaro; Ota Miho; Matsuo Junko; Kawamoto Yumiko; Kinoshita Yukiko; Higuchi Teruhiko; Amano Naoji; Kunugi Hiroshi

来源：Journal of Human Genetics, 2011, 56(8): 613-616.

DOI：10.1038/jhg.2011.56

• cognitive function
• genetic polymorphism
• interleukin-1 beta
• intelligence

Interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta) is considered to have a role in age-related cognitive decline. A recent study has shown that a promoter polymorphism of the IL-1 beta gene (rs16944) is associated with cognitive performance in elderly males without dementia. In this study, we examined whether polymorphisms of the IL-1 beta gene also influence cognitive functions in elderly females. Cognitive functions were assessed by the Wechsler adult intelligence scale-revised (WAIS-R) in 99 elderly (>= 60 years) females without dementia. We selected five tagging polymorphisms from the IL-1 beta gene and examined the associations with the WAIS-R scores. Significant associations were found between verbal intelligence quotient (IQ) and the genotypes of rs1143634 and rs1143633 (P = 0.0037 and P = 0.010, respectively). No significant associations of rs16944 genotype were found with verbal or performance IQ. However, individuals homozygous for the G allele of rs16944 achieved higher scores in digit span compared with their counterpart, which is consistent with the previous findings in males. These results suggest that IL-1 beta gene variation may have a role in cognitive functions in aging females as well as males. Journal of Human Genetics (2011) 56, 613-616; doi:10.1038/jhg.2011.56; published online 26 May 2011

• 出版日期2011-8