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Isolation of Soluble and Insoluble PrP Oligomers in the Normal Human Brain
Published on: October 3, 2012
Prion protein M129V polymorphism affects retrieval-related brain activity.
Andreas Buchmann1, Christian R A Mondadori, Jürgen Hänggi
1Division of Psychiatry Research and Hospital for Psychogeriatric Medicine, University of Zurich, Minervastrasse 145, 8032 Zurich, Switzerland.
Neuropsychologia
|April 22, 2008
Summary
The prion protein Met129Val polymorphism impacts memory by influencing brain activity and grey matter. Val carriers show less efficient neural resource use for memory retrieval compared to Met carriers.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Genetics
- Cognitive Psychology
Background:
- The prion protein (PRNP) Met129Val polymorphism is linked to human long-term memory.
- Individuals with 129MM or 129MV genotypes recall more words than 129VV carriers.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate genotype differences in retrieval-related brain activity at 30min and 24h post-learning.
- Compare grey matter concentrations and cognitive profiles across genotypes.
- Examine the relationship between brain activity, retrieval success, and genotype.
Main Methods:
- Event-related functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) during a word recognition task.
- Comparison of 12 Met/Met, 12 Val/Met, and 12 Val/Val carriers matched for performance and demographics.
- Analysis of grey matter concentration and cognitive profiles.
Main Results:
- Val carriers showed enhanced retrieval-related brain activity at both 30min and 24h, despite matched retrieval performance.
- Negative correlation between brain activity and retrieval success in Val homozygotes, unlike Met carriers.
- Val carriers had higher neocortical grey matter concentration; genotype effects on brain activity persisted after controlling for grey matter.
- Specific genotype effects observed, distinct from working memory and correct rejection activations.
Conclusions:
- The prion protein Met129Val polymorphism influences neural plasticity following learning.
- Val carriers exhibit less economical neural resource utilization for memory retrieval.
- Genotype-dependent differences in brain activity and grey matter are associated with memory processing.
