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Updated: Jun 16, 2026

Correlating Gene-specific DNA Methylation Changes with Expression and Transcriptional Activity of Astrocytic KCNJ10 (Kir4.1)
Published on: September 26, 2015
Variation in the CBP gene involved in epigenetic control associates with cognitive function.
Stella Trompet1, Anton J M de Craen, J Wouter Jukema
1Department of Gerontology and Geriatrics, Leiden University Medical Center, The Netherlands. s.trompet@lumc.nl
Common variants in the CREB binding protein (CBP) gene are linked to improved cognitive function in older adults. This genetic variation may offer a protective effect on cognitive performance over time.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Genetics
- Gerontology
Background:
- CREB binding protein (CBP) is implicated in the pathologic mechanisms of neurodegenerative diseases and cognitive dysfunction.
- Loss of a CBP gene copy results in severe cognitive impairment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between common variants in the CBP gene and cognitive function in an elderly population.
- To assess both baseline and longitudinal cognitive performance in relation to CBP gene polymorphisms.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of four common variants in the CBP gene among 5804 participants in the PROspective Study of Pravastatin in the Elderly at Risk (PROSPER).
- Linear regression for baseline associations and linear mixed models for longitudinal associations.
- Adjustments for sex, age, education, country, test version, and pravastatin use.
Main Results:
- The intron 4CT and intron 3AC polymorphisms in the CBP gene were associated with better cognitive performance at baseline.
- These polymorphisms also demonstrated a protective effect on cognitive function during the follow-up period.
- A specific haplotype combining variant alleles of these polymorphisms showed a protective effect across all cognitive domains (p<0.03).
Conclusions:
- Genetic variations within the CBP gene are associated with enhanced cognitive performance in the elderly.
- Further research is needed to elucidate the impact of these polymorphisms on CBP gene expression levels and CBP-mediated gene regulation.
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