ACE I/D polymorphism affects cognitive function and gray-matter volume in amnestic mild cognitive impairment
Zhengsheng Zhang1, Linglong Deng, Feng Bai
1School of Clinical Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China. zhijunzhang838@yahoo.com.cn
Behavioural Brain Research
|November 27, 2010
Summary
The ACE D allele is linked to worse memory and smaller brain gray matter volume in individuals with mild cognitive impairment. This suggests a genetic risk factor for cognitive decline and brain atrophy in aMCI patients.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Genetics
- Cognitive Science
Background:
- Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) affects memory and cognitive functions.
- The angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) gene and its polymorphisms are implicated in various neurological conditions.
- Understanding the genetic and biological correlates of MCI is crucial for early diagnosis and intervention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between ACE insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism, serum ACE concentrations, cognitive function, and brain structure in amnestic-mild cognitive impairment (aMCI).
- To determine if the ACE I/D genotype influences cognitive performance and gray matter volume (GMV) in aMCI subjects.
Main Methods:
- Recruited 48 aMCI subjects and 36 age-matched controls.
- Assessed cognitive function using standardized neuropsychological tests.
- Analyzed ACE I/D polymorphism via PCR and measured serum ACE concentrations.
- Utilized magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and optimized voxel-based morphometry to analyze GMV.
Main Results:
- ACE D allele carriers with aMCI showed poorer performance on delayed recall tests compared to I homozygous carriers.
- D carriers exhibited higher serum ACE concentrations than I homozygous carriers, particularly in the aMCI group.
- In aMCI D carriers, smaller GMV was observed in multiple brain regions, including the frontal and parietal lobes, which was not seen in controls.
Conclusions:
- ACE genotype significantly impacts cognitive performance, specifically episodic memory, in aMCI patients.
- The ACE D allele is associated with altered serum ACE activity and reduced gray matter volume in specific brain regions in aMCI.
- The ACE D allele may represent a genetic risk factor for accelerated brain atrophy and cognitive decline in amnestic-mild cognitive impairment.
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